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State Department backs "creative solutions" to get aid into Gaza, warns against Hamas diversion
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Summary
Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the U.S. supports unconventional channels to deliver aid to Gaza as long as it reaches civilians and does not fall into the hands of Hamas; he declined to provide a timeline and deferred announcements about a private foundation to that group.
Tommy Pigott, principal deputy spokesperson at the U.S. Department of State, said the administration “welcomes moves to get aid quickly into Gaza” and supports “creative solutions” to ensure humanitarian assistance reaches civilians rather than being diverted to Hamas.
Pigott said the department defers to a private foundation for public announcements about an aid‑distribution mechanism that a previous spokeswoman had referenced. He said the United States wants aid delivered “in a way where it’s not falling into the hands of terrorists such as Hamas” and that it should “actually reach[] the people that need it.”
Reporters pressed Pigott about an Israeli cabinet remark attributed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that a forcible removal of Palestinians from Gaza was “inevitable” and whether the United States would rebuke that language. Pigott said he did not accept the characterization in the reporter’s question and emphasized that, from the podium, the administration has said any movement out of Gaza must be voluntary. He added that “Hamas bears sole responsibility for the war and for the resumption of hostilities.”
Pigott would not place a timeline on when aid would start flowing through new or creative channels, and he repeatedly declined to speak for private foundations or to preview operational details. The briefing noted that more than two months had passed since the conflict intensified and officials continue to seek ways to speed assistance to civilians while preventing its diversion to militant groups.
