U.S. State Department Expresses Concern Over Gaza’s Humanitarian Situation Amid Ongoing Criticism
Marco Rubio Addresses U.S. Assistance Plans for Gaza While Hamas and the UN Raise Concerns
Watan-U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed Washington’s concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza following his conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.
Rubio told reporters on the sidelines of a NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Antalya, Turkey, that the United States “is not indifferent to the suffering of Gaza’s residents,” noting that no humanitarian aid has been delivered since March 2.
Rubio clarified: “I see criticism of the U.S. aid plan, and Washington is open to alternative ones.” Earlier, White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt confirmed that the Trump administration is working on a new plan to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza, emphasizing the necessity for the aid to be delivered “responsibly to ensure it doesn’t fall into the hands of terrorists.”
In her remarks, Levitt rejected criticisms from international organizations that the proposed mechanism could contribute to “militarizing aid.”
U.S.-Backed Gaza Relief Foundation to Begin Operations Amid Trump’s Controversial Gaza Plan
Prior to Rubio’s remarks, the United Nations announced it would not participate in the U.S.-backed humanitarian operation in Gaza, stating that it “would not be impartial, neutral, or independent.” UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters today that, “This particular aid distribution plan does not align with our core principles, including neutrality, impartiality, and independence, and we will not take part in it.”
The “Gaza Relief Foundation,” supported by the U.S., is set to begin operations in Gaza before the end of May under a controversial aid distribution plan. However, the foundation has asked Israel to allow the UN and other organizations to resume aid delivery to Palestinians for now “until it is ready to operate.”
Additionally, Trump renewed his desire to control Gaza, stating Thursday that the U.S. would make it a “free zone,” adding that there was nothing left to save in the Palestinian territories. Trump first proposed his Gaza plan in February, suggesting that the U.S. would redevelop the area and force Palestinians to relocate. The plan sparked global condemnation, with Palestinians, Arab states, and the UN accusing it of ethnic cleansing.
Hamas Rejects Trump’s Gaza Plan, Demands Humanitarian Aid and Ceasefire
In response to Trump’s remarks, a Hamas official confirmed on Thursday that Gaza “is not for sale.” Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim said in a statement reported by AFP, “Gaza is an integral part of Palestinian land, not property for sale in the open market.”
Naim stressed that the entry of aid into Gaza is the “minimum” for negotiations with Israel, which has maintained a strict blockade on the Gaza Strip since March. He added, “The minimum for a conducive and constructive negotiation environment is for Netanyahu’s government to open the crossings and allow the entry of humanitarian, food, and medical aid.”
Hamas also called on Thursday for the implementation of “understandings” reached with Washington regarding the entry of aid into Gaza and a ceasefire, as part of a “positive initiative involving the release of the imprisoned soldier Edan Alexander during President Trump’s visit to the region.” The movement warned that “failure to achieve these steps, especially the entry of humanitarian aid to our people, will negatively affect any efforts to continue negotiations on the prisoner exchange process.”
