House Passes Humanitarian Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill today that recognizes Israel's right to defend themselves in their recent conflict with Hamas. White House officials say this bill was aimed at raising awareness to the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza. For instance, during this conflict, the World Food Program, is reporting 1 million Palestinians are without food or water.The bill was proposed by Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, and passed by a margin of 390 to 5. This measure passed on the second week of fighting between Israel and Palestine in the Palestinian territory of Gaza. $1.6 million in food and $15,000 in medicine has reached refugees, but an additional $3 million are still awaiting distribution in a U.N. warehouse. Due to the unsafe conditions on the groud, Howard Sumka (the top U.S. aid official for the West Bank and Gaza) says supply deliveries are "not as high as we would like."These concerns bring to light the recent humanitarian problems associated with conflict in Gaza. Just a day ago, The U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees suspended all food deliveries to over 750,000 Palestinian refugees due to Israeli air strikes. One aid worker was killed and another was wounded, despite the fact "they had received Israeli clearance," the agency said.

In addition, Rice says the US will continue to support the Non Governmental Organizations within Gaza and applauds them for their work in such "a very difficult environment."

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Personally, I think the U.S. isn't doing very much to assist Palestinian refugees in Gaza. Condolezza Rice's words about having "tough phone calls" probably don't mean anything to the refugees who are without adequate health care or clean water to drink. On the other hand, I do realise the reality of the situation. There is a war in Gaza right now, and so Israel is taking the measures it sees fit to eliminate all Hamas leaders within Gaza. Also, the U.S. is obviously in support of Israel in this conflict but can't have this fact be made to clear to Hamas if the U.N. is going to be sucessful in any kind of peaceful negotiation. In a way, Condolezza Rice's words are probably the best response to any media right now if the UN wants to reach a peace agreement soon.

All in all, I am very confused about this situation and realise there is no clear cut answer. Even if a peace agreement is reached, will Hamas just use it as a time to restock on weapons? Will Israel really work with the Palestinians? Nobody really knows the answers to these questions, and its definitely not any easier for a grade 10 civics student in Aurora to come up with a response.