During his speech, Biden stated: “Israel must allow more aid into Gaza and ensure that humanitarian workers aren’t caught in the crossfire.”
The American president also said: “Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority.”
Speaking with Kristen Welker of NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” former PM Bennett said he did not agree with Biden’s statements.
“No, I don’t agree,” Bennett responded. “The problem is not the amount of aid going into Gaza.”
He said that Hamas is to blame for the humanitarian aid crisis in Gaza.
“The problem is that Hamas is hijacking that aid, robbing that aid, taking it to itself and then selling it back in the black market in Gaza at about ten-fold the price, and many Gazans can’t afford it,” Bennett argued.
Bennett also pushed back against the idea that Israel was using the issue of humanitarian aid as “a negotiation chip.”
“We are not using this as a negotiation chip or anything of that sort,” Bennett responded, “the problem is that Hamas is stopping that aid from reaching the people who need that aid.”
Bennett said Hamas’ behavior demonstrates why Israel needs to “defeat Hamas, clean Hamas, and then form a new Gaza.”
On Saturday evening, IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari echoed Bennett’s statements.
“Hamas has been stealing humanitarian aid and stockpiling equipment and food for Ramadan for Hamas terrorist leaders instead of the Gazan civilians in need.”
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