U.S. to Maintain Support Structure Centered on Gaza Relief Organization
Ambassador Huckabee to Israel: “Plan to Quadruple Distribution Centers”
U.S. government officials have revealed that President Donald Trump does not oppose Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s anticipated plan to completely occupy the Gaza Strip. Mike Huckabee, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, announced plans to increase the number of Gaza Relief Organization distribution centers from four to 16.
The U.S. media outlet Axios reported on the 6th (local time) that President Trump would not intervene in Israel’s plan to occupy Gaza, allowing Israel to make its own decision. One official added that the decision to support Israel was influenced by a video released by Palestinian militant group Hamas, showing an Israeli hostage digging his own grave. President Trump previously responded to reporters’ questions on whether Israel should reoccupy Gaza by stating, “That is entirely up to Israel.”
Despite opposition from the families of hostages and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) leadership, Netanyahu’s cabinet is expected to approve a plan to expand the occupation of the Gaza Strip on the 7th (local time). New operations aimed at occupying additional areas including Gaza City in the northern Gaza Strip are expected to displace around 1 million Palestinians and could last several months. Families of hostages and the military have expressed concerns that expanding operations in Gaza could further endanger hostages. It is estimated that Hamas is holding about 50 Israeli hostages, including 20 believed to be alive.
Meanwhile, the U.S. plans to strengthen the current humanitarian support framework led by the U.S. and Israel. Special envoy Steve Witkoff, who visited Gaza and Israel, met with President Trump on the 4th (local time) to discuss expanding humanitarian activities in Gaza, according to Axios.
Mike Huckabee, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, also stated in an interview with Bloomberg on the 6th that the U.S. plans to expand the number of Gaza Relief Organization distribution centers from four to 16. He mentioned that President Trump had run out of patience regarding the legitimacy of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. When asked if President Trump supports the occupation of Gaza, Huckabee said, “The right (of Israel) to do what it has to do to protect itself, bring back its hostages, and end this situation is respected.”
Ambassador Huckabee also hinted that the expansion of the Gaza Relief Organization’s distribution centers could be linked to Israel’s military operations. He stated that it’s dependent on whether the Israeli military can clear and secure the northern areas of Gaza. He added, “Many considerations and options are being reviewed, but nothing has been finalized yet.”
The humanitarian support framework led by the U.S. and Israel in Gaza has faced considerable criticism from the international community. The system of distributing food and medicine across Gaza under UN leadership was completely blocked by Israel in March. Following the establishment of the U.S.-led Gaza Relief Organization, distribution was centralized to four locations with a focus on southern Rafah. As starving Gaza residents gathered, the Israeli military opened fire, resulting in over a thousand deaths over about two months. The Trump administration decided to provide 40.7 billion won in funding to the Gaza Relief Organization at the end of June and plans to increase this amount have been reported.