Not a single dime of aid should go to Gaza until the diversion of the money and goods to Hamas and the employment of terrorists stops. Aid to Gaza at serious risk of terrorist diversion https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/...-gaza-at-serious-risk-of-terrorist-diversion/ In the 14 months since Hamas killed 1,200 people and kidnapped 254 hostages during its Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack against Israel, evidence of Western aid dollars enriching terrorist organizations and operatives in Gaza has grown. The United Nations and donor countries have been slow to accept this evidence or make changes to their operational partners and methods. On Dec. 11, 2024, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs made a flash appeal for $4.07 billion to support U.N., NGO, and international NGO partners operating in Gaza and the West Bank in 2025. Watchdog group NGO Monitor has noted myriad issues with the appeal, including a lack of transparency about the partner organizations and agencies it operates with, and no discussion of methods to “prevent, or even mitigate [aid] diversion by Hamas and other armed actors.” Yona Schiffmiller, Director of Research at NGO Monitor, told the Washington Examiner that OCHA’s lack of transparency is problematic because “a lot of the groups that are involved with distributing the aid, with handling the aid, have links to terrorism.” This means that “even if the top line seems like a worthy cause, the trickle down to terror-linked actors is something that we see throughout the system.” One of the largest OCHA appeal recipients has been the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Despite mounting proof that UNRWA leaders and members share connections with terrorist groups and that intolerance is being taught in UNRWA schools, OCHA stands firmly against what it calls “attacks” on the agency. Mistrust in UNRWA has led to multiple countries, including the U.S., pulling their funding. OCHA has previously granted $682 million to UNRWA, and will likely provide more, insisting that failure to fund UNRWA could have “potential adverse consequences for stability in the region.” Another international aid group that netted $2 million from OCHA flash appeals is World Central Kitchen. 7 members of the organization were killed in an accidental Israeli strike last April. But on Nov. 30, the Israel Defense Forces killed a member of Hamas who was employed by World Central Kitchen. After the incident, the organization fired 62 employees who Israel found had links to militant groups. NGO Monitor also flagged the following groups that received funding from OCHA appeals since 2023 despite having terrorist ties or being linked with aid diversion schemes: World Vision, the recipient of $1.6 million, whose Gaza manager of operations was convicted in 2022 of diverting aid and material for over a decade. Islamic Relief Worldwide, with which the State Department cut ties in 2021 on account of “anti-Semitism exhibited repeatedly by IRW’s leadership.” Palestinian NGO Network, “at least five” of whose members have ties to terrorist organizations designated by the European Union. Al-Awda Health and Community Association, which was determined by the USAID to be the “[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine’s] health organization” in 1993. Norwegian People’s Aid, which has been accused of providing “material support” to Hamas, the PFLP, and Iran by the Department of Justice, and settled a suit with DOJ and USAID in 2018. Should the U.S. help fund the OCHA appeal, Schiffmiller said he believes it can oversee where funds are disbursed, but explained that “when there’s no transparency, it’s very difficult to understand the nature of the oversight being exercised.” Transparency about the recipients of U.S. aid in the region has been lacking. Throughout 2024, the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development provided around $200 million to “miscellaneous foreign awardees” for about a dozen projects in Gaza and the West Bank. This represented “dramatically increased funding” with “drastically decreased transparency,” according to NGO Monitor. A State Department spokesperson told the Washington Examiner that “all U.S. assistance in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem is provided in a manner consistent with U.S. law and through experienced, vetted, and trusted partners.” The spokesperson further explained that “risk mitigation measures for U.S. assistance to the West Bank and Gaza include counterterrorism partner vetting, anti-terrorism certifications that require organizations to certify compliance with anti-terrorism laws, and mandatory anti-terrorism clause provisions in grants and contracts. Assistance is subject to Office of Inspector General audits and investigations.” Still, the U.S. government has itself raised alarm bells about the possibility of aid being utilized by malign actors. USAID’s Office of the Inspector General found in August 2024 that USAID was not “consistently perform[ing] expected due diligence” with organizations including the UN-affiliated World Food Programme, World Bank, and UNICEF. The OIG concluded that this shortcoming could “potentially lead … to serious issues including diversion of funds or goods,” that might benefit “designated terrorist organizations.” Schiffmiller said that NGO Monitor is “in the midst of trying to formulate policy recommendations” that would help donors determine best practices for supporting Palestinians without their funds being diverted by terrorists. Their preliminary recommendations “dealt with improving the vetting” for both beneficiaries of aid and the partner organizations leading projects. The impact of aid that supported the terrorist groups that conducted the Oct. 7 attacks was not borne solely by Israel. The day’s victims belonged to over 30 countries and included 45 Americans. Another 12 Americans were taken hostage. With the announcement in December that Omer Neutra is no longer alive, three are still believed to remain in Hamas control.
The only thing I will enjoy about the incoming Trump administration... is that whatever he does about Gaza, Hamas, Israel, and the Middle East will definitively make the pro-Hamas crowd STFU complaining about Biden. Keeping in mind that his incoming administration officials have stated the proper solution for Gaza is to remove every single Palestinian living in it and eliminate any that refuse to leave.
The Pope should send this medal back. Biden awards Pope Francis with Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction It is the only Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction he has awarded. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bid...-medal-freedom-distinction/story?id=117585652
Maybe... hopefully ... some progress is being made to towards a ceasefire. Hamas has finally agreed to release a list of hostages who are still alive -- which is the starting point for moving forward. Let's hope for the best... but based on the past I do not expect much. Israel 'caught off guard' by Hamas flexibility in hostage deal talks - report Hamas source on hostage deal: 'We are close to announcing an agreement' • IDF to remain along Philadelphi Corridor as part of negotiations https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-837168 Hamas's unexpected flexibility during negotiations for a hostage deal and ceasefire in Gaza surprised Israeli delegates, a source from Hamas told Saudi news outlet Asharq on Saturday. “We are close to announcing an agreement and a [hostage deal],” said a source claiming to be familiar with the negotiations, “but this hinges on Israel’s awaited response. If no new Israeli conditions are introduced, the agreement will be ready for announcement through the mediators”—referring to Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. The source said that Hamas demonstrated "significant flexibility" during the talks, which surprised Israeli negotiators. This included agreeing to submit a list of living prisoners as part of the first phase and adding 11 prisoners to the list at Israel’s request during the latest round of discussions. Additionally, Hamas did not object to the continued presence of Israeli forces in the Philadelphi Corridor, the closure of the Rafah crossing, or the positioning of Israeli forces at the Netzarim axis, which separates northern Gaza from the south. However, the source stressed that these concessions were contingent on guarantees that displaced residents would be allowed to return through an electronic checkpoint equipped with cameras at the western Martyrs Junction (Al-Rashid Road) during the initial phase, which is expected to last six to eight weeks. According to the source, both sides agreed on the general framework for the second phase of the deal, with contentious issues postponed for further discussion during the implementation of the first phase. Alleged terms of the deal The agreement outlines a gradual increase in the delivery of aid, with more trucks entering through the Salah a-Din Gate—the commercial crossing at Rafah—and the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing. The Rafah crossing for individual travelers will also gradually reopen, beginning with emergency cases such as patients and the injured, followed by an expansion of permitted categories and numbers. “This process depends on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the crossing area and the Philadelphi Corridor,” the source explained, adding that discussions remain ongoing regarding the mechanism for managing the crossing. This would follow the 2005 agreement, which involves European monitors and coordination between Egypt, the Palestinian Authority, and the US. The source emphasized that Hamas is adamant about securing guarantees from international mediators—including Egypt, Qatar, and the US—to ensure the full implementation of the agreement, leading to a permanent ceasefire and an eventual complete Israeli withdrawal. “This point requires concluding the second phase of negotiations,” the source said, noting that Hamas had agreed to a phased ceasefire and a withdrawal timeline. He stressed the importance of these guarantees, explaining that they link the prisoner exchange deal to measures aimed at preventing a resumption of hostilities during the agreement’s implementation. Sources estimated that “by Sunday evening, it should become clear whether a deal in Gaza will be reached or if Israel will revert to imposing new conditions, resetting negotiations to square one.”
Biden calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire deal in call with Netanyahu Andrea Shalal Netanyahu updated Biden on progress in the talks and on the mandate he has given his top-level security delegation now in Doha. Sunday 12/01/2025 US President Joe Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, July 25, 2024. (Reuters) WASHINGTON – US President Joe Biden spoke on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, the White House said, as US officials race to reach a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal before Biden leaves office on January 20.
Don't be suckered in sheeple, this will be your typical last minute smoke and mirrors deal between two political-religious bs artists. It will be a faux ceasefire for the world media cameras and for Biden's bowing out ceremony, lasting all of 5 minutes. The media will go into a frenzy selling newspapers and fireworks will light up the sky. TV networks will be singing Biden's praises. But, Israel don't trust Hamas and Hamas don't trust Israel. It just won't work out! Trump will step in wanting to look tough and like he's doing something, so will supply Israel with yet more bombs. Israel will say thankyou, we love American bombs and we love using them.
Meanwhile Russia and China will be rubbing their hands together, "look at these fukwits, burning through money and ammo, we love it, we also love the distraction."