Vantage | Why Biden's 'blunt talk' on aid to Palestine doesn't mean much

In a whirlwind visit to Israel this week, President Joe Biden managed to make a significant impact during his short stay focussing on humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza and fostering diplomatic relations. While the visit lasted only eight hours, it was packed with crucial meetings, speeches and discussions aimed at addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.

A marathon of talks

During his brief visit, President Biden held a series of meetings with key leaders in the region underscoring the urgency of addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He engaged in discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, members of Israel’s wartime cabinet and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. These meetings were aimed at not only strengthening US-Israel relations but also exploring ways to facilitate the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

A balancing act

President Biden’s approach during his visit was to walk a diplomatic tightrope. He emphasised his unwavering support for Israel while also expressing genuine concern for Palestinian civilians. His focus remained on delivering humanitarian relief and aid to Gaza, a region that has been grappling with immense suffering.

Blunt diplomacy

One aspect that defined President Biden’s visit was his blunt and direct approach to the negotiations. He repeatedly stressed the urgency of providing humanitarian aid to Gaza promptly. His negotiations with Israeli leaders were described as “blunt”, highlighting the need to expedite aid delivery.

“No, I have been very blunt about the need to support getting humanitarian aid to Gaza, get it to Gaza and do it quickly,” said US President Joe Biden.

“Up to 20 trucks, this has been a very blunt negotiation I’ve had. And I was, as they probably told you, I was very blunt with the Israelis. Because look, Israel has been badly victimised, but you know the truth is that if they have an opportunity to relieve suffering of people who are, have nowhere to go, they’re going to be, that’s what they should do,” Biden said.

Challenges on the horizon

Although there is a commitment to delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, there are considerable challenges ahead. The primary obstacle is the presence of Hamas, the ruling regime in Gaza. Historically, Hamas has exploited aid deliveries for its own gains and imposed taxes and cuts that have enriched its leaders. It remains a legitimate concern whether Hamas will allow the aid to be distributed without interference.

“The people of Gaza need food, water, medicine, shelter. Today, I asked the Israeli cabinet, who I met with for some time this morning to agree to the delivery of life saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza based on the understanding that there will be inspections that the aid should go to civilians, not to Hamas. Israel agrees the humanitarian assistance can begin to move from Egypt to Gaza. Let me be clear. If Hamas diverts or steals the assistance, it will have demonstrated once again that they have no concern for the welfare of the Palestinian people. And it will end, as a practical matter, I will stop the international community from being able to provide this aid,” the US president said.

President Biden’s solution

To mitigate the challenges posed by Hamas, President Biden announced a $100 million commitment for humanitarian assistance in both Gaza and the West Bank. This financial aid is intended to support over one million displaced and conflict-affected Palestinians including those with emergency needs in Gaza. It is a significant commitment although it is not without its own hurdles.

“Today, I am also announcing $100 million in new US funding for humanitarian assistance in both Gaza and the West Bank. This money will support more than 1 million displaced in conflict-affected Palestinians, including emergency needs in Gaza,” Biden said.

Budget constraints

One key point of contention is the US government’s budgetary situation. Before the recent war in Gaza, the US was grappling with a looming government shutdown due to budget constraints. Lawmakers had only managed to secure an interim deal that lasts for a mere 45 days. This financial uncertainty raises questions about the feasibility of Biden’s $100 million pledge.

Mission Impossible?

Moreover, ensuring that the aid does not fall into the hands of Hamas remains a challenging task. The organisation has a history of manipulating aid deliveries for its benefit. This issue raises doubts about whether President Biden can convince American lawmakers to allocate the funds and oversee their distribution without interference from Hamas. In a region marked by complex political dynamics, the road to providing much-needed relief to the innocent civilians in Gaza remains fraught with challenges.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.

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