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Allowing aid into Gaza causes anger among families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas

Families of civilians abducted by Hamas hold a press conference in Tel Aviv, October 14, 2023. (Photo: Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

During his visit to Israel on Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden reportedly pressured Israel into allowing water, medicine and food to be transported into southern Gaza from Egypt, causing great anguish among the families of the 199 hostages that the Hamas terror group captured during the invasion and massacre on Oct. 7.

The Bring Them Home Now organization, which represents the families of the abducted Israelis, said the decision caused great anger among family members.

“The decision to allow humanitarian aid to the murderers of Gaza has caused great anger among the family members,” the organization said in a statement and stressed the hostages are wounded and shot, and being kept in inhumane conditions.

“We remind you that children, babies, women, soldiers, men and the elderly – some of whom have serious health issues, are wounded and shot – are being held underground like animals without any human conditions, and the government of Israel is treating the murderers to baklava and medicine,” the group said.

“If this horrible decision to aid the murderers of Gaza is not canceled, the families will intensify their struggle in the near future,” the group stated, without specifying what action would be taken.

The families have been protesting against the Israeli government close to the the IDF's Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, they are demanding that the government take action to bring home their family members from Gaza.

U.S. President Joe Biden, during his visit to Israel, said that the “people of Gaza” need humanitarian supplies.

“The people of Gaza need food, water, medicine, shelter,” Biden said after participating in a war cabinet meeting in Tel Aviv on his visit to the Jewish state. “Today, I asked the Israeli cabinet, who I met with for some time this morning, to agree to the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, based on the understanding that there will be inspections, and that the aid should go to civilians, not to Hamas.”

Egypt has agreed to open the Rafah Crossing in order to allow up to 20 trucks of humanitarian supplies to be transported into neighboring Gaza. However, the open corridor is being allowed based on the condition that Gazans will not be able to evacuate into Egypt.

Cairo has refused to take in anyone fleeing from the Gaza Strip from crossing into Egypt.

Netanyahu reported that he made three demands of Hamas during his meeting with Biden, primarily in regard to the hostages.

“First, I demanded the return of our captives, and we are working together for their return in every possible way,” Netanyahu said in a statement Wednesday evening.

“Second, until their return, we demand Red Cross visits for our captives."

"Third, we will not allow humanitarian assistance in the form of food and medicines from our territory to the Gaza Strip," he added.

Biden sought to relieve Israeli fears that the aid will reach Hamas, who is responsible for the brutal deaths and suffering of at least 1,400 men, women, children and babies, including Israeli soldiers and civilians, as well as foreign nationals from across the globe.

“Let me be clear: 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,” Biden said.

“As a practical matter, it will stop the international community from being able to provide this aid.”

The U.S. president also said that America was “working with partners throughout the region, pursuing every avenue to bring home those who are being held captive by Hamas."

"I can’t speak publicly about all the details," Biden said, "but let me assure you: For me as the American president, there is no higher priority than the release and safe return of all these hostages.”

The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.

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