The White House is surging humanitarian aid into Gaza as the pause in the Israel-Hamas war extends an extra two days.
President Joe Biden announced Monday that the United States is increasing the amount of humanitarian aid moving into Gaza in an effort to help Palestinian civilians. Biden and his administration reported that the United States would be sending $100 million in aid to the West Bank and Gaza in October despite the United Nations organization reportedly claiming that its fuel and medical supplies meant for Palestinian refugees were stolen by Hamas, according to the Times of Israel. (RELATED: ‘He Blew It’: Jewish Groups Hammer Biden While White House Pushes Islamophobia Scare After Hamas Attack)
“The humanitarian pause has also enabled a significant surge in additional humanitarian assistance to the innocent civilians who are suffering across the Gaza strip,” Biden wrote in a Monday statement. “The United States has led the humanitarian response into Gaza—building on years of work as the largest funder of humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people. We are taking full advantage of the pause in fighting to increase the amount of humanitarian aid moving into Gaza, and we will continue our efforts to build a future of peace and dignity for the Palestinian people.”
Actress Cynthia Nixon speaks as she announces a hunger strike calling for a ceasefire in Gaza outside the White House on November 27, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
After the White House announced that the United States would be sending humanitarian aid to Gaza, concerns were raised that the supplies would be stolen by Hamas. Biden spoke with the Israeli cabinet in October to ask them to ensure that the aid would reach Palestinian civilians.
As trucks carrying food, water and various other supplies continue to enter Gaza, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby says the administration has not seen any indication that such aid has made its way to Hamas, USA Today reported. The aid will reportedly be accelerated in the coming days as the United States plans to send three relief flights, Fox News reported.
Israel agreed to an extension in the humanitarian pause on Monday to have more hostages exchanged between the country and Hamas. Since the initial pause began, Hamas released 58 more hostages as of Monday in addition to four hostages the terrorist organization released in October.
“We will not stop until all of the hostages held by Hamas terrorists are released,” Biden said in a statement Monday.