Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s suggestion that Israel target food warehouses in Gaza to pressure Hamas into freeing hostages has drawn attention in Washington, where the Trump administration appears to be distancing itself from the proposal.
During a recent press briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce was asked whether the Trump administration endorses the move. Ben Gvir had claimed that high-ranking Republicans he met at Mar-a-Lago supported the idea. Bruce initially refrained from addressing the matter, pointing out that the Israeli minister’s account had not been independently confirmed.
She later offered a pointed response, suggesting that such an approach conflicts with U.S. priorities. “The proposal is in complete contradiction to the nature of our commitment to getting food aid and assistance,” she said.
Bruce emphasized the intense diplomatic effort over recent months to facilitate humanitarian access to the Strip. “My goodness, the work over these 100 days to get that first ceasefire to get that aid into that area, it’s difficult,” she remarked.
It was unclear if Bruce’s comments were meant to signal an official rebuke of Ben Gvir’s position. Not long after, she appeared to walk back from further elaboration, emphasizing that she had no additional remarks on the Israeli official’s statement.
“What I will do is reiterate, certainly, our commitment to Israel, our commitment to creating a better framework in Gaza, stopping the slaughter, getting aid and food in — that has been a north star for this administration,” Bruce said, outlining the administration’s consistent policy objectives.
Pressed on whether the U.S. now aligns with the Israeli stance that humanitarian aid will only resume following a new ceasefire and hostage agreement, Bruce refused to provide a direct answer.
Instead, she turned to a clearly prepared response to affirm the administration’s broader humanitarian stance. “The United States supports the flow of humanitarian aid with safeguards to ensure assistance is not diverted, looted or misused by terrorist groups such as Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” Bruce said.
{Matzav.com}