The Move to Change the Distribution of Aid in Gaza - and Smotrich's Brake on the American Demand
First publication: Diplomatic sources told ynet that Israel and the US are trying to fight the economic strengthening of Hamas, and are considering a return to distributing humanitarian aid via a bypass route - for…
Assessment
Israel and the US are weighing a renewed bypass mechanism for humanitarian aid in Gaza, aiming to counter Hamas's economic entrenchment. The dispute centers on US insistence that the plan be funded by frozen Palestinian Authority funds, a red line for Finance Minister Smotrich who sees it as unauthorized PA foothold. The outcome will test whether operational coordination with Washington can survive internal coalition pressures.