Israel Continues The Distribution Of Humanitarian Aid To The Gaza Strip, But...

A humanitarian aid truck from Egypt entered Gaza via Rafah. (Twitter/@PalestinineRCS)

JAKARTA - Israeli Defense Minister Katz said Israel intends to resume humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, but only through "civil companies," so food and equipment do not reach the militant group Hamas, which controls the region.

Israel's policy in Gaza, Katz said in a statement, includes "first and foremost, making every effort to free all hostages within the framework of US Envoy Steve Witkoff, and building a bridge to Hamas' defeat in the future."

He said Israel's policy also includes "stopping humanitarian aid, weakening Hamas' control over the population, and creating infrastructure for distribution (assistance) through civilian companies in the future."

Defense Minister Katz said the IDF continued to attack Hamas operations and its infrastructure, to evacuate Palestinian civilians from the combat zone, carry out massive attacks before ground operations, and to destroy buildings that pose a threat to Israeli forces.

"So far, hundreds of thousands of residents have been evacuated and tens of percent of the region has been added to the security zone," he said, referring to Israel's widespread buffer zone on the Gaza border, which now covers about 30 percent of the Gaza Strip region. April 16.

"Tekanan pada Hamas untuk melaksanakan kesepakatan itu sangat besar dan ketegangan antara Hamas dan penduduk setempat," katanya, sambil menambahkan Mesir untuk pertama kalinya menetapkan "penyalutan senjata Hamas dan demilitarisasi Gaza" sebagai syarat "untuk kesepakatan yang komprehensif dan untuk mengakhiri perangan."

Later, Defense Minister Katz said Israel had no intention of continuing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in the near future.

"As I mentioned in my statement, Israel's policy is clear and no humanitarian aid will enter Gaza," he said.

He said preventing aid from entering Gaza was "one of the main tools" used to suppress Hamas, "in addition to other steps Israel is taking."

"It's a shame there are people who are trying to mislead," Defense Minister Katz said, referring to right-wing lawmakers who immediately attacked his announcement.

"In today's reality, no one will bring humanitarian aid to Gaza, and no one is prepared to bring such assistance," he stressed.

"I emphasize, regarding the future, the mechanism for using civilian companies must be built, not to allow Hamas to access (assistance) in the future," he added.

Israel has stopped the entry of humanitarian aid supplies into the Gaza Strip since March 2, in order to pressure Hamas to accept the proposed ceasefire from the United States.