Israel said it’s not impeding the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The problem involves “logistical limitations and challenges” for any international organization providing help during a time of war, the Israeli Defense Forces said.
On Wednesday, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, said his country’s fight is with Hamas, not the people of Gaza.
“We’re sending aid into Gaza, to the people of Gaza. We are not the bottleneck,” Adm. Hagari said. “On the contrary, we check more aid trucks than can enter Gaza.”
He urged the international community to “find additional solutions” for the distribution of aid, along with establishing field hospitals and shelters for Gaza residents displaced by the heavy fighting.
“We are currently working toward achieving our objectives in northern Gaza, and there is considerable work left in southern Gaza,” the admiral said. “While we pursue our goal of defeating Hamas, we do so while acting with caution and care to the civilians in Gaza who are also suffering in this war that Hamas inflicted on us all.”
He said Hamas spent years turning the Gaza Strip into a terror stronghold and took money donated by other countries that was meant to give residents a better life. Then came Oct. 7 and Hamas’ terror raid on Israel, sparking the current war.
“The terror leaders of Hamas are only interested in their own wealth and well-being and keep themselves far away from the destruction they caused,” Adm. Hagari said. “We will continue our important mission to defeat Hamas and rescue our hostages. We are committed to freeing our hostages from Hamas and freezing Gaza from Hamas, for a better future for the region.”
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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