Regardless of whether Israel manages to achieve a hostage arrangement for the time being, former president Barack Obama made an unusual speech on Sunday addressing the famine situation in Gaza, arguing that help must continue to flow to Palestinians.
On social media, Obama made the comment in response to a New York Times article that said, “Gazans are dying of starvation.” Israel has started airdropping relief supplies into the region after blocking them earlier this year. The Israeli government claims that tales of malnutrition are part of a Hamas propaganda effort. However, according to Trey Yingst of HeadlinesForever, there is a growing problem of hunger in the area.
“While a lasting resolution to the crisis in Gaza must involve a return of all hostages and a cessation of Israel’s military operations, these articles underscore the immediate need for action to be taken to prevent the travesty of innocent people dying of preventable starvation,” Obama wrote on X, giving a reference to the publication.
People in Gaza need aid, and it must be able to reach them. Additionally, he stated that there is no rationale for withholding food and water from civilian families.
In response to a Sunday question on the situation, President Trump praised American efforts to provide supplies to Gaza. During a meeting with President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission, he made it clear that Europe had not sent help to Gaza. He reiterated Israel’s long-standing accusation that Hamas is embezzling a significant portion of the humanitarian aid destined for the Palestinians.
When I look at the kids and notice that someone has been taking food and money, particularly in the past several weeks, it breaks my heart. According to Trump, it’s not just weapons that are being stolen, but everything.
It’s a disaster, the entire facility is in disarray. You are aware that the Gaza Strip was ceded to them a long time ago in exchange for peace. “That was a bad move,” he said.
According to the IDF, they transferred over 250 assistance vehicles throughout the week and executed 28 drops in a few hours on Sunday.
Providing help to civilians, rather than Hamas, has the full backing of Israel. According to an Israeli Defense Forces official, the Israeli government would maintain its assistance for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza population.
Also responding to criticism of his government, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the UN has been spreading false reports of massive malnutrition. According to his interview with Sunday’s Jerusalem Post, Israel has always maintained its policy of allowing aid into Gaza, provided that it does not support Hamas.
“We’ve done this so far,” Netanyahu told the tabloid. However, the United Nations is propagating misinformation on Israel. They claim we don’t let humanitarian aid in, but the truth is that we do. There are hallways that are guarded. It’s official now, but they’ve always been there. End of justifications.