State Department: "Bad optic" for UN to on Hamas' side on aid
The official made his comment in reference to the refusal of the UN and its associated organizations to take any part in the IDF's plan to organize independent aid distribution to Palestinians, bypassing Hamas.
A State Department official speaking to Axios today (Sunday) said that it was a "bad optic" to see the UN and international agencies oppose the Israeli plan to arrange aid to Palestinians in such a way that it is not within reach of Hamas.
The source said that "Folks found a creative, outside the box thinking solution to a difficult problem. This is something people should celebrate and support, especially given the needs of Gazans. Not to mention that it is a really bad optic for these groups to be on the same side as terrorist Hamas on this."
According to Axios, Israel and the United States are working on forming an independent international fund which would facilitate aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. While the IDF would provide the needed security, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reportedly told the government unequivocally that he would not let soldiers hand out the aid directly and risk their lives in the face of an "incited, hungry mob."