FALCON POWERS – Israeli media revealed on Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed to study the possibility of contracting with private companies to distribute aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The official Israeli Broadcasting Corporation said that National Security Advisor Tsachi Hanegbi told members of the Knesset (parliament) Foreign Affairs and Security Committee that “Netanyahu instructed to study the possibility of contracting with private companies to distribute aid in Gaza.”
Hanegbi added: “We do not want Israeli army soldiers or Hamas to do this (distribute the aid).”
He pointed out that a previous proposal to distribute this aid through local elements in Gaza “did not succeed,” without providing clarifications.
Hanegbi did not disclose the nationality of the private companies that Israel is considering contracting with.
The broadcasting corporation explained that Hanegbi’s statements came during a secret discussion session of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, without specifying the date of its convening.
Israel is facing pressure from several international parties to allow the delivery of aid to Gaza and ease the restrictions that have led the Strip, especially its northern areas, to the brink of famine that has caused deaths.
According to previous statements by Hamas, Israel is trying to circumvent this pressure with “illusory and superficial measures” to “beautify its image,” including allowing limited and insufficient quantities of flour, while continuing to prevent other main foods, which eases international pressure on Tel Aviv, but keeps the causes of famine in the Strip as they are.
According to the Hebrew media, Netanyahu does not want Hamas or international organizations, especially the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), whose staff are allegedly affiliated with Hamas, to be responsible for distributing the aid.
Israel also tried with local parties in Gaza to take responsibility for distributing the aid, but those parties refused, and it is looking for an alternative through international companies that it can control and manage the aid.
