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Biden Once Pledged Gaza Aid Would Stop if Hamas Stole It
(Wall Street Journal) Editorial - On Oct. 18, 2023, President Biden announced that humanitarian aid would move from Egypt to Gaza with Israel's consent "based on the understanding that there will be inspections and that the aid should go to civilians, not to Hamas....If Hamas diverts or steals the assistance, they will have demonstrated once again that they have no concern for the welfare of the Palestinian people and it will end. As a practical matter, it will stop the international community from being able to provide this aid." Now, the President has demanded that Israel transfer ever more aid, even as Hamas steals it to keep power over Gaza's population. On Sunday, the Biden Administration threatened Israel in a letter from senior U.S. officials Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin: Surge aid to Gaza within 30 days or risk a weapons embargo. The timing couldn't be worse. Israel may soon retaliate against Iran for its recent missile attack, and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei needs to know that America has Israel's back. The Biden team supports Israel, but not the moves that might deliver victory. The Administration suggests it could withhold offensive weapons from Israel - while maintaining missile defense. Under duress, Israel has signaled it will cooperate on the aid. The question is why he so often threatens Israel, and never Hamas or Iran. The Administration's threat letter also urges Israel to keep the status quo with UNRWA and schedule Red Cross visits for Hamas prisoners in Israel, which isn't required for unlawful combatants. Meanwhile, Hamas refuses Red Cross visits to the hostages it holds.