Washington: US President Joe Biden during his trip to Israel has announced a $100 million humanitarian aid to Gaza and the West Bank. In a post on X, the US President said that the money will support over 1 million displaced and conflict-affected Palestinians. “And we will have mechanisms in place so this aid reaches those in need – not Hamas or terrorist groups,” he added.
The Gaza health ministry said 3,478 Palestinians have been killed and 12,065 injured in Israeli air strikes on the besieged enclave since October 7.
Following his trip to Israel, Biden also said that Israel has been badly victimised, but it should explore the opportunity to relieve the suffering of people in Gaza who have nowhere to go. Further adding, he said, “And if they don’t, they’ll be held accountable in ways that may be unfair,” Biden told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back from Israel on Wednesday.
“Today I’m also announcing $100 million in new US funding for humanitarian assistance in both Gaza and the West Bank. This money will support more than 1 million displaced in conflict affected Palestinians, including emergency needs in Gaza,” Biden said. I just announced $100 million for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the West Bank. This money will support over 1 million displaced and conflict-affected Palestinians. And we will have mechanisms in place so this aid reaches those in need – not Hamas or terrorist groups.”
“You are a Jewish state, but you’re also a democracy,” he added. “Like the United States, you don’t live by the rules of terrorist. You live by the rule of law. What sets us apart from terrorists is we believe in the fundamental dignity of every human life, Israeli, Palestinian, Arab, Jew, Muslim, Christian, everyone.”
Biden has also called for Egypt to open its border to allow Palestinian civilians to leave the warzone. His administration is also expected to ask Congress for $100 billion in supplemental funding for Israel and Ukraine — two wars Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently said the US can “certainly” afford to support.
