The Israel Defense Forces released a new statement with a series of steps it's immediately taking to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which we have sent to Hill offices.
Successful delivery and distribution of aid remains dependent on the United Nations to immediately step up its operations and more effectively deliver aid. Israel has facilitated the daily entry of trucks into Gaza, and hundreds of truckloads of aid are currently stockpiled at U.N. staging sites awaiting distribution.
We are urging American leaders to demand Hamas immediately accept the ceasefire deal it rejected this week that was brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, and was accepted by Israel. This deal would stop the fighting, free hostages, and surge aid to Gaza.
The full IDF statement is included below my signature. Continue to follow AIPAC on social media for the latest updates.
Jake Braunstein
Director of Policy Communications
IDF Statement
In accordance with directives from the political echelon and following a situational assessment held this evening, the IDF has begun a series of actions aimed at improving the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip, and to refute the false claim of deliberate starvation in the Gaza Strip.
Tonight (Saturday), the IDF will resume the aerial airdrops of humanitarian aid, as part of ongoing efforts to allow and facilitate the entry of aid to Gaza.
The humanitarian airdrop operation will be conducted in coordination with international aid organizations and the IDF, led by COGAT and the IAF. The airdrops will include seven pallets of aid containing flour, sugar, and canned food to be provided by international organizations.
In addition, it was decided that designated humanitarian corridors would be established to enable the safe movement of UN convoys delivering food and medicine to the population.
The IDF is prepared to implement humanitarian pauses in densely populated areas and will continue to operate to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and eliminate terrorists in the areas of activity.
This week alone, over 250 aid trucks were unloaded, joining hundreds of trucks waiting at the crossings to be collected by the UN and international organizations. Additionally, approximately 600 trucks have been distributed by the UN and international organizations. The IDF, through COGAT, will continue coordinating with international organizations to collect the contents of hundreds of trucks that have not yet been collected.
Furthermore, in line with a decision by the political echelon, the IDF, through COGAT and in coordination with the Israel Electric Corporation, connected the power line from Israel to the desalination plant. This is expected to supply approximately 20,000 cubic meters of water per day, up from the 2,000 cubic meters supplied until now, to serve about 900,000 residents in the area.
The IDF emphasizes that there is no starvation in the Gaza Strip; this is a false campaign promoted by Hamas. Responsibility for food distribution to the population in Gaza lies with the UN and international aid organizations. Therefore, the UN and international organizations are expected to improve the effectiveness of aid distribution and to ensure that the aid does not reach Hamas.
The IDF emphasizes that combat operations have not ceased. We will continue to operate in the Gaza Strip to return all hostages and to defeat the Hamas terrorist organization, both above and below ground.
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
