Gaza needs more direct aid from Israel: military analyst

In mourning and out of respect to the Palestinians killed in Gaza the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank has canceled Christmas celebrations the Church of the Nativity a sacred site for Christians around the world is usually lit up with Christmas lights but instead

We’ll sit in the dark the church is on the site where Christians believe Jesus was born and their faith began let’s bring in retired lieutenant general Mark Schwarz he is the former United States security coordinator for Israel and the pal inian Authority thanks so much for taking the

Time good afternoon Vanessa the United Nations security Council adopted a watered down resolution Friday allowing for the immediate aid deliveries but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire how much of a difference would that have made well I think the uh us would have vetoed the resolution had they called

For a ceasefire um also watered down was there was no um condemnation no verbiage at all with respect to Hamas they did denounce all acts of terrorism but they did not specifically call out Hamas which is I would imagine informed the reason why the US abstained from versus voting yes for the

Resolution the A and ground campaign continues across Gaza what stage is Israel’s offensive at and how is Hamas responding well I think they’re still in their you know the major offensive combat operations as as we’ve been seeing I think it’s still several more weeks before uh Israel can

Transition to what the United States and the International Community have been urging for more Precision uh Special Operations intelligence-led operations and significantly reduce the amount of air to ground engagements that that have been ongoing since the air War started on the evening of October 7th but I

Still think that is um you know that transition is is weeks away what more can be done to help civilians well I think the the resolution that was past Friday speaks to that the you know the increase of humanitarian Aid now of course km Shalom and Rafa are the only two Crossings open

Right now but I what I don’t understand why the International Community in the United States has been pushing harder on is to get Aid coming in from northern is you know from northern Gaza out of Israel directly because the benefit of doing that is one um they have a secure route that being

Secured by the Israeli Defense Forces to be able to bring the aid in and also Israel would be 100% in control of the supply chain of the humanitarian Aid the Medical Aid the uh um expeditionary U Medical Aid stations that could be set up and they haven’t done that yet and I

My assessment is is I think that’s just maybe it’s politically untenable right now within Israel to do that but I think that is the next major um move that should be made with respect and that the UN should be asking for and the United States for that matter to be bringing

More Aid in uh from you know from Israel into Northern Gaza thank you for your expertise today we appreciate it

Former U.S. security coordinator Mark Schwartz says it’s crucial for border crossings in northern Gaza to be open for aid transfers.

Subscribe to CTV News to watch more videos:

Connect with CTV News:
For live updates and latest headlines visit:
For breaking news, fast, download the CTV News App:
Must-watch stories and full programs at

CTV News on TikTok:
CTV News on X (formerly Twitter):
CTV News on Reddit:
CTV News on LinkedIn:

—
CTV News is Canada’s most-watched news organization both locally and nationally, and has a network of national, international, and local news operations.

Reference