Israel reportedly may consider reducing humanitarian aid to Gaza

Israel is reportedly considering significant cuts to humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, according to a report by Israeli news outlet Channel 12.

The report cited an unnamed Israeli political source, expressing doubts about maintaining the current aid levels under Trump’s administration, which is set to begin on Jan. 20. The source noted that any decision to reduce aid would likely be coordinated with the incoming US administration.

Israel has long voiced concerns that humanitarian aid to Gaza is being exploited by Hamas to bolster its power. In light of this, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz convened a subcommittee to discuss “dismantling Hamas’s governing power” in Gaza.

Since the conflict began in 2023, Israeli airstrikes have led to over 45,600 deaths in Gaza, mostly women and children, following a Hamas attack on Oct. 7. International pressure has mounted for a cease-fire, with the U.N. calling for an immediate halt to hostilities.

Additionally, Israel faces legal challenges, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Israel is also under scrutiny at the International Court of Justice over accusations of genocide related to its military actions in Gaza.