U.S. defends Gaza aid, prisoner return, and contraceptive disposal
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, humanitarian organizations warn that the people in Gaza is in danger of hunger, and the United States is under pressure to help ensure food reaches the region.
On Friday, Tommy Pigott, the Department of State’s chief deputy spokesperson, spoke with Scripps News about the crisis and other international concerns.
Assistance for Gaza
According to the World Food Program, severe acute malnutrition affects 100,000 women and children. Israel’s blockade of Gaza is blamed by many. Pigott, however, asserted that Hamas should bear full responsibility.
“We remain committed to getting as much aid as possible to the people of Gaza without it being looted and then weaponized by Hamas,” he stated.
Pigott emphasized the endeavor to provide 90 million meals to Gazans, but he also said that if Hamas pledged to halt the conflict, things may quickly get better.
President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said he was leaving Qatar on Thursday after claiming Hamas showed no interest in negotiating a ceasefire in Gaza.
The murderer went back to America.
Pigott was questioned on the United States’ choice to repatriate a Venezuelan man convicted of triple murder during the Scripps News interview.
The New York Times reports that Dahud Hanid Ortiz, a dual citizen of the United States and Venezuela, was found guilty in Venezuela of killing three people in Spain in 2016.
Pigott stated that the objective was to ensure that individuals were not wrongfully detained, but he would not discuss specific case facts.
“Right now, there are no more wrongfully detained Americans in Venezuela,” he stated. “And that is because of the leadership of this administration, that leadership of President Trump to bring Americans home, Americans who suffered torture at the hands of the Venezuelan regime.”
Burning birth control
As the Trump administration changed its objectives regarding international aid, Reuters reported this week that roughly $10 million worth of U.S.-funded contraceptives are scheduled to be burned.
In response, Pigott stated that the administration is following the Mexico City Policy, which states that “U.S. taxpayer dollars do not fund organizations or programs that support or participate in the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization.”
Pigott clarified, “We’re not talking about condoms, for example,”
He continued, “We’re talking about very specific commodities when it comes to the Mexico City Policy that prevents taxpayer dollars going towards organizations that may perform abortions.”
Pigott continued by saying that before any of the supplies are destroyed, officials are auditing them to determine what can be saved.
