Israel considers cutting aid to Gaza as Trump takes office

The Israeli Knesset is considering to substantially decrease the flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, according to reports by Israeli media. This potential decision comes just days before Donald Trump is set to take office in the United States.

A source told Israel’s Channel 12 on January 3rd that any such a decision would be coordinated with the incoming US administration, The New Arab reports. The source said: “It is highly doubtful whether the amount of aid being brought into Gaza today will be similar to the amount that will come in under the Trump administration.”

“So far, Israel has determined aid according to the commitment made to President Joe Biden, but this may change in the coming weeks, after Trump returns to the White House on January 20th,” the source added.

The Israeli government has reportedly become concerned about how humanitarian aid is reaching Gaza, and especially Hamas. Channel 12 quoted sources that claimed “Israel realised several months ago that the humanitarian aid entering Gaza goes to Hamas, which uses it to restore its capabilities.”

Since the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023, Israel has significantly reduced the flow of aid to the region, pushing Gaza toward the brink of famine.

READ: Gaza crisis deepens: 77% lack aid amid dire humanitarian struggle

Israeli MPs call for harsher military tactics in Gaza

Last year, the UN warned that Gaza had descended into chaos, with widespread hunger and looting. They disputed allegations of a “systematic” theft of humanitarian aid. The shortage of relief has contributed to civilian casualties, with some dying from starvation or hypothermia.

Hamas has responded by targeting criminal gangs looting aid trucks. They claimed that dozens have been killed in security operations designed to curb these actions.

The report from Channel 12 followed a call from eight far-right members of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee on Friday, urging Defence Minister Israel Katz to destroy all food, water, and power sources in Gaza.

Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, over 45,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children. The war has devastated Gaza’s healthcare system and infrastructure, with the vast majority of the population of over 2 million people displaced.

Aid organizations, UN experts, and governments worldwide have condemned Israel’s actions, with some accusing it of committing genocide in Gaza.

The New Arab