AJC Statement on the Humanitarian Aid Situation in Gaza

American Jewish Committee (AJC) stands with Israel in its justified war to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas and secure the release of the remaining hostages. At the same time, we feel immense sorrow for the grave toll this war has taken on Palestinian civilians, and we are deeply concerned about worsening food insecurity in Gaza.

AJC welcomes Israel's announcement of a series of significant additional actions to increase the flow and distribution of aid in Gaza, including new airdrops, humanitarian corridors for United Nations (UN) aid convoys, humanitarian pauses, and measures to increase access to water. We urge Israel, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the UN, and all responsible parties involved in aid distribution to increase cooperation and coordination in order to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

AJC also reminds the international community and media that Hamas - whose priority is and has always been the destruction of Israel, not the rights and welfare of the Palestinian people - has exacerbated the challenges of humanitarian aid distribution by diverting aid from civilians, exploiting aid to generate revenue that fuels its control over Gaza and war against Israel, and by using violence and intimidation to prevent civilians from accessing goods. Hamas has continuously and cynically created the conditions for, and weaponized, Palestinian suffering in order to demonize Israel - a tactic that too many continue to ignore. Hamas is ultimately responsible for this war and its continuation - further evidenced this week by its unwillingness, once again, to reach a renewed ceasefire and hostage-release agreement.

AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC's mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.

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