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State Department defends continued U.S. humanitarian support to Gaza amid reports of civilians harmed at aid sites
Summary
The State Department spokesperson said the U.S. would continue humanitarian funding to Gaza despite Israeli investigations into incidents that harmed Palestinian civilians at aid distribution sites.
The State Department spokesperson said the United States would continue humanitarian support to Gaza, despite reports and an Israeli military investigation that Palestinian civilians were harmed at aid distribution sites.
The spokesperson said, "I think the answer to that certainly is no," when asked whether the administration would rethink allocating funds to the Gaza Humanitarian Fund after reports that civilians were harmed at aid distribution sites. The spokesperson added that Israeli authorities had announced investigations and that the United States would "be watching that." He also stressed that "this remains a war zone effectively."
Why it matters: Aid deliveries and reports of harm at or near distribution points raise operational and reputational risks for international humanitarian partners and donors. The spokesperson framed continued support as necessary to reach people in dire need and described the situation as complicated by active conflict and actors who attempt to disrupt aid.
Details and numbers: The spokesperson said the department had issued "nearly 100 security alerts" since the onset of the crisis, and that "a total of 16 flights departed Israel with over 650 US citizens and lawful permanent residents and their accompanying immediate family members." On aid, the spokesperson stated, "we are coming up to, I think, about 51,000,000 meals distributed."
Investigations and response: The spokesperson said Israel and the IDF had announced investigations into certain incidents and that the U.S. would "be watching that." He said the U.S. continued to press for a ceasefire and to seek ways to get more aid into Gaza, while acknowledging the operational challenges in a war zone.
Ending: The spokesperson thanked partner countries for assistance with evacuation flights and reiterated that U.S. embassies and consulates in the region remained open and provided routine and emergency consular services.
