US says focus on humanitarian aid, freeing hostages amid reports of Israel's Gaza occupation plans

WASHINGTON

The US State Department emphasized its commitment Tuesday to humanitarian assistance and the recovery of hostages in the Gaza Strip amid reports of Israel's occupation plans for the enclave.

"You know what we're focused on, still getting the hostages out," spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters when asked about the agency’s position on recently reported Israeli plans.

Israeli media said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided, with US backing, to push ahead with a full-scale reoccupation of Gaza, targeting areas believed to hold Israeli captives.

Bruce referred the reporter to the Israeli government regarding the report.

"Reporting is one thing. Real plans might be another. We are not in the business of interpreting statements from foreign governments, when and if they're made," she said.

The US remains focused on freeing the hostages, including the remains of two Americans, and ensuring that Hamas never rules Gaza again, Bruce said.

When asked about reports that US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump discussed plans for the US to increase its role in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, Bruce said humanitarian aid has been "at the heart of our action, not just for Gaza, but around the world."

Witkoff spent more than five hours inside Gaza last weekend to assess the situation and to begin planning the best way to deliver urgent food and medical care, she said.

"And while we don't have anything to announce at this point, obviously, it's rather early regarding the result of that, that still remains our priority," she added.

Israeli officials said Netanyahu will convene political and military leaders Tuesday to discuss “options” for Gaza after the collapse of indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas.

The Israeli army, rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 61,000 Palestinians, almost half of them women and children. Israel’s military campaign has devastated the enclave and brought it to the verge of famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.