Gallant: While striving to destroy Hamas, we facilitate increased aid to Gaza

Yoav Gallant, Israel's Defense Minister, and Jack Lew, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, visited a newly established humanitarian coordination unit of the Israeli army on Sunday, April 8. During his visit, Gallant stated, "While we strive to achieve the goals of this war, namely the destruction of Hamas and the return of hostages, we also understand the importance of facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza." According to a statement from the Israeli Ministry of Defense, reports on ongoing efforts to increase the inspection, transfer, and effective distribution of humanitarian aid were presented to Gallant and Lew. The statement adds that the purpose of establishing this unit is "to empower key partners for close cooperation to facilitate the delivery of aid in a way that allows the Israeli army to continue operations against the terrorist group Hamas while ensuring the safety of aid workers." Gallant also mentioned that Israel is closely cooperating with the U.S. to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He said, "I want to thank the U.S. government for its longstanding support, especially during this war, and for America's leadership on humanitarian aid related to both the issue of hostages and aid sent to Gaza." The U.S. and its allies consider an immediate ceasefire essential to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza to prevent famine among Palestinians. Benjamin Netanyahu's office, the Prime Minister of Israel, announced on Friday, April 7, that measures were being taken, including reopening an important border crossing to northern Gaza to increase the flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Jack Lew, who became the U.S. Ambassador to Israel on October 8, a month after Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel, met with the families of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas and stated that the release of all hostages is the U.S.'s top priority. John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, after Lew's confirmation in Congress, stated that the U.S. government is looking forward to him "going to Israel and leading our efforts to support Israel and their fight against Hamas while also helping us coordinate and efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza." The U.S. military destroyed missile systems, missiles, and drones of the Houthis supported by the Iranian government. Netanyahu's promise of a "complete victory" over Hamas: a ceasefire in Gaza is impossible without the return of hostages. Shin Bet: The Iranian government is likely behind sending a "condolence wreath" to the family of an Israeli hostage. The Israeli army reduced "ground forces in southern Gaza." There is a possibility of negotiations for the release of hostages and establishing a ceasefire on Sunday; a Hamas representative is going to Cairo. The body of another Israeli hostage has been returned to the country.