The topic of providing humanitarian aid to Gaza is a contentious one, particularly when it involves a substantial figure of $100 million, as announced by President Joe Biden. Expressly aimed at assisting the residents of the strife-torn Gaza Strip, this move hasn’t come without its share of criticism.
Following the announcement, Senator Rick Scott stated he would attempt to block the aid until the release of hostages by Hamas, something many interpret as an indefinite deferral(Rick Scott, Senate.gov). The narrative was echoed by right-wing media(PJ Media), who also condemned Biden for his proposal.
Nonetheless, it’s undeniable that innocent people, including infants and toddlers, are amid the ones suffering in the Gaza Strip. Despite the prevalent belief that all inhabitants of the area are terrorists, the reality is far from it(PJ Media). While Hamas’s tactics of using civilians as human shields are abhorred and amount to war crimes, it remains a fact that these acts incriminate Hamas, not the innocent.
In terms of financial comparisons, the proposed $100 million aid for Gaza is a fraction compared to the near $14 billion planned to be sent to Israel(The New York Times). There is, therefore, an argument to be made for assisting those who pay the price for the conflict: the innocent civilians.
Questions remain regarding whether the aid will ultimately benefit the civilians, given fears that Hamas may misappropriate the recurring aid(Daily Mail). The solution proposed by advocates for aid is to make the assistance purely humanitarian — food, water, and medical supplies.
Ultimately, despite the expected theft by Hamas and misdirection of funds, the idea is that some aid will reach those who truly need it. This gesture demonstrates to the world, particularly to regions harboring anti-American sentiments, that the United States is, fundamentally, driven by a sense of humanity(Above the Law).