Trumpifying Gaza Aid
Don’t worry, Gazans: The Donald is here.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump have allegedly been discussing plans for the U.S. to take over administering humanitarian aid to displaced people in the Gaza Strip, per two officials who spoke to Axios. This comes right after news that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will now pursue a full occupation of the Gaza Strip, entering a new phase of war. (Some internal dissent appears to be roiling efforts; more details here.) Ceasefire negotiations appear stuck.
“The IDF has said it opposes taking over the whole Strip, with the army assessing it could take years to clear all Hamas infrastructure,” reports The Times of Israel. “It could also put hostages in danger of being executed by their captors should troops approach where they are being held.”
But it’s hard to say whether Trump and Netanyahu are working to pursue a sort of division of labor—with Trump taking over aid efforts and Netanyahu expanding the war—or whether this move by Trump could be viewed as antagonistic by Israeli senior officials.
Axios reports that “a U.S. official said it was decided that the Trump administration will ‘take over’ management of the humanitarian effort in Gaza because Israel isn’t handling it adequately,” possibly a nod at the recent criticism Israel has received for allegedly opening fire on Gazans at aid sites. (“Palestinians are approaching these distribution sites, waiting for food, but the Israeli forces are opening fire,” says Al Jazeera‘s Hind Khoudary. The “same exact scenario plays out in Gaza every single day.”)
Trump himself is apparently “not thrilled” about the idea of the U.S. taking over but believes “it kind of has to happen,” per an official who spoke to Axios. “The president doesn’t want to see the U.S. being the only country throwing money at this problem. It’s a global problem. And he’s been tasking Witkoff and others to make sure everyone is stepping up, our European friends and our Arab friends,” said ano
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