Senior Biden administration officials say a six-week cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war could start Saturday but hinges on the terrorists agreeing to free vulnerable hostages.
The officials said in a call with reporters that Israel has agreed to a framework for the cease-fire but that Hamas hasn’t given the OK to release the sick, elderly and women.
“We would have a cease-fire if Hamas addresses that final issue. That’s basically where it is,” an official said.
The officials noted that if a cease-fire were reached, it would allow for a “significant surge of humanitarian work” and aid to reach Gaza, particularly in the war-beleaguered northern region.
Efforts to pause the fighting come as the U.S. air-dropped aid into Gaza early Saturday. Three C-130 cargo planes, with an assist from the Jordanian air force, delivered 66 bundles containing about 38,000 meals.
The food was dropped along the coastline, which officials said would let Palestinians access the aid more safely.
Saturday’s airdrop is part of an effort to get more aid into the region, the officials said, while the Biden administration and other allies work to build out more routes to bring assistance, including by air, land and sea.
The U.S. has funded $180 million in humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
While the U.S. has been successful in getting aid to the region, the officials said the biggest difficulty has been distribution. Criminal gangs have been stealing food and other items to sell.
The region is still reeling from the news that over 100 Palestinians were killed, and nearly 800 were wounded, as they lined up for humanitarian aid Thursday, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Israeli forces have been accused of opening fire into the crowd, while the Israeli government says many of the people who died were trampled in a chaotic rush for the food and that its troops fired warning shots after the crowd moved toward them in a threatening way.
The incident adds to the criticism of Israel’s handling of moving and distributing aid into Gaza, where civilians are on the brink of famine.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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