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Lawmakers Press Rubio Over Gaza Aid, UNRWA Funding and Delayed Therapeutic Food Shipments
Summary
Multiple members pressed Secretary Rubio about humanitarian access to Gaza, the suspension of funds to UNRWA and delays in shipments of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF); Rubio said the administration is seeking alternative delivery mechanisms and expects additional aid flows soon.
Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee pressed Secretary Marco Rubio on U.S. humanitarian assistance to Gaza, distribution channels and the administration's decision to stop using the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for aid in Gaza.
"We're not distributing any more aid through that organization," Rubio said in response to questions about UNRWA links to Hamas. He told the committee the administration is working to identify reliable alternative channels that will reach civilians without being diverted to militants.
Representative Jan Schakowsky and other members raised a parallel concern about commercially produced ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) boxes that had been purchased but not yet shipped. "A single box... can save a child from dying of severe acute malnutrition in only 6 to 10 weeks," Representative Schakowsky said, and asked Rubio to commit to moving remaining stocks. Rubio said he would seek details from staff about what impediments remain and that he expected more aid to begin flowing "rapidly over the next few days."
Members criticized the humanitarian freeze as creating gaps that other countries — notably China — can exploit. Rubio defended administration steps to ensure aid does not wind up in militant hands and said alternatives are being developed with partners and implementing organizations.
Ending: Rubio said the administration has urged Israeli and regional partners to facilitate aid delivery and that new humanitarian funding mechanisms within State would be used to support emergency distributions; members called for rapid written follow-ups and clear timelines.
