In Thursday’s broadcast of MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports,” Biden Campaign Co-Chair Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) acknowledged that the most effective way to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza involves securing a hostage and ceasefire deal. He pointed out that Hamas could end the conflict immediately by releasing hostages. Both he and President Joe Biden have urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to coordinate efforts, emphasizing that “Israel needs to fully partner with the international community to deliver aid.”
Coons stated, “Deconfliction is an issue I have personally discussed with [Prime Minister] Netanyahu, as have many other American leaders, including our President. Distributing aid amidst a warzone presents significant challenges. The physical destruction in Gaza is catastrophic. The reopening of the Erez gate in the north has provided some relief, but not at the necessary pace. Israel must fully cooperate with the international community to ensure aid delivery. Achieving this requires a hostage and ceasefire deal with Hamas. We have exerted maximum pressure on Hamas indirectly through Qatar and Egypt. President Biden has been tirelessly attentive to the concerns of the hostage families. There are currently several individuals, including eight Americans, still held hostage.”
