Biden announces $100 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza and West Bank

Joe Biden, the President of the United States, announced on Wednesday that the U.S. would send $100 million to provide humanitarian aid to Gazans and West Bankers.

Biden stated Wednesday, during an address in Tel Aviv that the money would support more than one million Palestinians who have been displaced by conflict. This includes emergency needs in Gaza.

The announcement follows a massive explosion that rocked Gaza City’s hospital on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of hundreds. Hamas blamed Israel for the explosion, but the Israeli military claimed that a Palestinian militant misfired a rocket at the hospital. Biden, who has so far supported Israeli officials in this matter, told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the attack seemed to have been carried out by “the other team.”

Biden warned Hamas not to try to divert aid. He said that the group would be stopped if it tried to interfere.

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Biden stated that “if Hamas steals or diverts the aid, they will once again have demonstrated their lack of concern for the Palestinian people and this will be the end in a practical sense.” It will prevent the international community from providing this aid.

Biden said that on Wednesday he had spoken with members of Israel’s cabinet “to agree upon the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.”

According to the Associated Press, Israel has confirmed that food, water, and medicine will begin to flow through its border after restricting their flow.

Biden arrived early on Wednesday in Israel in a bold display of support for America’s strongest ally, Israel, following the Hamas-led assault that occurred in the Middle East on October 7.

The surprise attack killed at least 1,300 people. Israel has responded by launching a massive airstrike on Gaza. According to Gaza authorities, more than 3,000 Palestinians have been killed.

Since the attack, the U.S. has given Israel its full backing and sent two aircraft carriers into the region to try to discourage other players from joining the conflict.