White House says aid isn't getting into Gaza because of 'criminal gangs'

[lapucelle]

17. Why are you conflating Palestinians with the "armed gangs and criminal groups"

that Joe Biden's White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby referenced at his press conference?

October 21, 2024
On-the-Record Press Gaggle by White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby

MR. KIRBY: Well, the short answer to your question really is: Of course, we want more done. We need to see much more aid getting into Gaza. You mentioned the north. I would note that over the last few days to a week there’s been — more than 120 trucks have made it into northern Gaza, which is a good thing. It’s not enough, but it’s a good thing. We also noted and welcomed the air drops that the UAE conducted over the last couple of days, I think over the weekend. That also was helpful. But much more needs to be done, and we’re going to continue talking to our Israeli counterparts about that.

I mean, for instance, you know, there’s armed gangs at the Kerem Shalom crossing. You know, there’s plenty of trucks that are waiting to get in there, and they’re not able to get in there because of these armed gangs and criminal groups that are stopping it. So we all have to take a turn here and see what we can do to reduce that pressure down at Kerem Shalom so that that aid can get in. More needs to be done. But, yes, we have seen an uptick over the last few days.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2024/10/21/on-the-record-press-gaggle-by-white-house-national-security-communications-advisor-john-kirby-33/