Israel suggests strings be attached to coronavirus aid for Gaza
Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett has urged that any aid to Gaza for the COVID-19 pandemic be linked to the recovery of soldiers' remains.
Israel’s defense minister suggested today that future coronavirus assistance for the Gaza Strip be contingent on recovering the remains of two Israeli soldiers who died in 2014.
Reuters quoted Bennett as telling reporters that while the world is now discussing Gaza's humanitarian issues, "Israel also has humanitarian needs, which are mainly the recovery of the fallen." He added, “It would not be right to disconnect these things.”
Israel accuses Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, of holding onto the remains of Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, both Israel Defense Forces soldiers killed in the 2014 war.
“I think that we need to enter a broad dialogue about Gaza’s and our humanitarian needs,” Bennett said.
