Hamas could end this war tomorrow if it wanted to.
Israel has increased the flow of aid to Gaza, and has the capacity for more if the UN was capable of sending and distributing more.
America must give Israel the time, diplomatic support, and resources it needs to complete its objectives: destroying Hamas, driving Hamas from power, and returning the hostages.
Dear A.,
The Wall Street Journal reported today that Hamas has rejected an Israeli offer to pause the fighting for a week in exchange for the release of 40 more hostages.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken put the blame squarely on Hamas. "Israel has been very clear, including as recently as today, that it would welcome returning to a pause in the further release of hostages," Blinken said. "The problem was, and has been, and remains, Hamas."
Blinken went on to call out those demanding an immediate ceasefire while failing to put the onus on Hamas. "I hear virtually no one saying, demanding of Hamas, that it stop hiding behind civilians, that it lay down its arms, that it surrender. This is over tomorrow if Hamas does that."
Israel facilitating more aid into Gaza
Last week, Israel reopened the Kerem Shalom Crossing at the request of the United States to directly transfer additional aid into the Gaza Strip. Israel is now facilitating over 150 truckloads of aid into Gaza each day, inspecting the trucks and transferring them to international organizations on the other side of the border for delivery.
Yet the U.N. and other agencies have failed to keep up with quantity of aid and deliver it to people in Gaza.
Today the Israeli spokesperson responded to "despicable and libelous allegations" that Israel is somehow obstructing the delivery of aid, adding that Israel has the capacity to increase deliveries by 300%.
"If the aid entering Gaza is inadequate, interested parties should ask international donors why they are not sending more, Hamas why it is hijacking aid, and international agencies why they do not condemn Hamas’ theft of aid."
"We will not stop until all of the goals are achieved."
The IDF advanced further into northern and southern Gaza today as it continues its operation to destroy Hamas and dismantle its terrorist infrastructure.
Israel released more footage of IDF soldiers operating inside Hamas terror tunnels, including passageways connected to the homes of Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "We will not stop the fighting until all of the goals that we have set are achieved: The elimination of Hamas, the release of our hostages and the removal of the threat from Gaza."
America must continue to stand with Israel as it works to complete each of its objectives.
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