Israel began work today on connecting a water line from a desalination plant in Egypt to the Al-Mawasi area on Gaza's southern coast which will provide water for 600,000 people, as our ally continues to expand its humanitarian efforts.
This new pipeline is one of several steps Israel is taking to surge food and aid into Gaza. Over the past five days, Israel has:
Reopened the Egyptian and Jordanian corridors to other partners.
Facilitated the entrance of three fuel tankers a day in coordination with U.N. needs.
Facilitated aid airdrops with international partners.
Established humanitarian pauses throughout the day in parts of Gaza.
Established humanitarian routes.
Connected an electricity line to Gaza’s southern desalination plant.
Yesterday, Israel brought in over 220 humanitarian aid trucks and four fuel tankers into Gaza, and coordinated airdropping 52 pallets of aid in cooperation with the UAE and Jordan.
200 trucks were collected by the U.N. and international organizations and hundreds more are on the Gazan side of the border, waiting to be picked up and delivered.
The U.S.- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation also delivered 1.2 million meals to Gazans today, for a total of nearly 100 million meals delivered in just two months of operations.
"Delivering so much aid in such a short period — in an active war zone no less — is a testament to the commitment of our humanitarian staff and their determination to feed as many Gazans as possible," GHF Interim Executive Director John Acree said.
In an interview on CNN, Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter made clear that Israel is "not starving a population. We will never starve a population. We will continue to flood Gaza with humanitarian aid as we conduct the war to destroy Hamas, period."
Leiter added, "We don't want to see people hungry... Not only is there not a policy of starvation, but actually the amount of food that's being sent into Gaza is more than enough to feed all the Gaza populations."
Watch the full 13-minute interview below:
Meanwhile, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is traveling to Israel "to meet with officials to discuss next steps in addressing the situation in Gaza."
While Israel works to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Hamas is prolonging the suffering of Israelis and Palestinians alike.
American leaders must demand Hamas immediately accept the ceasefire deal it rejected last week and increase the pressure on the terror group.
Tell Congress: Reject Dangerous Efforts to Block Arms to Israel
Bernie Sanders is leading a dangerous effort to block critical arms sales to Israel as our ally is fighting a multi-front war and working to free the hostages.
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Treasury unveils massive Iran sanctions package
Today, the Treasury Department issued the "biggest Iran-related sanctions package since 2018," designating more than 50 individuals and entities that are part of a "vast shipping empire" controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of a top political advisor of Iran's Supreme Leader.
The shipping empire is responsible for transporting sanctioned petroleum products and other cargo from Iran and Russia, generating tens of billions of dollars in profit and helping to fund the regime's dangerous activities.
"The over 115 sanctions issued today are the largest to-date since the Trump Administration implemented our campaign of maximum pressure on Iran. These actions put America first by targeting regime elites that profit while Tehran threatens the safety of the United States," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
Arab countries call on Hamas to surrender
Yesterday, for the first time, several Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar — one of Hamas' key sponsors — called for Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza.
"In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State," the statement reads.
"Only by ending the war in Gaza, releasing all hostages, ending occupation, rejecting violence and terror, realising an independent, sovereign, and democratic Palestinian State, ending the occupation of all Arab territories and providing solid security guarantees for Israel and Palestine, can normal relations and coexistence among the region’s peoples and States be achieved," it adds.
It is the first time the Arab states have signed on to such a declaration, coming nearly two years after the October 7 massacre, as Hamas continues to hold hostages.
The United States and international community must increase the pressure on Hamas.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Freed hostage Emily Damari criticizes UK Palestinian statehood announcement
Read and share freed hostage Emily Damari's important response to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announcement on recognizing a Palestinian state.
In a separate statement, the Israeli Hostages and Missing Families Forum called the French and U.K. announcements on Palestinian statehood "shameful."
The Forum added: "The recognition of a Palestinian state before the return of the hostages will forever be remembered as a shameful, antisemitic step that renders terror acceptable as a legitimate means of achieving political goals."
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.
