Israel Choking Aid Deliveries into Gaza

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) described the Israeli inspection protocols in Gaza as severely restrictive and that Tel Aviv should face consequences for preventing aid from the besieged enclave. Israel has restricted aid deliveries into Gaza to just a fraction of pre-war levels. Nearly all residents of Gaza are internally displaced. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are suffering from starvation and diseases. 

On CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Van Hollen explained that Israel’s inspection processes for aid entering Gaza are choking aid deliveries into the Strip. “And when one item on a truck is rejected, the entire truck is rejected,” The Maryland Senator said. “And according to all the international [nongovernmental organizations] that we talked about who have been operating in conflict zones around the world, they’ve never seen a worse process for assuring the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance.”

When asked if Israel should face consequences for restricting aid, the Senator replied,  “Yes, I do think there … have to be consequences.” “And you know, [Secretary of State Antony Blinken] and President Biden had been right to insist on two things: a reduction in the unacceptable levels of civilian casualties, and much more cooperation when it comes to providing humanitarian assistance.” He continued, “We’ve not seen that.”