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Interview

Van Hollen: Israeli restrictions on Gaza aid 'not currently in compliance' with US policy

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Sen. Chris Van Hollen said he is concerned about the US getting drawn into planning of Israeli military operation in Rafah.

US Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) questions Treasury Undersecretary For Domestic Finance Nellie Liang as she testifies before the Senate Banking Committee Feb. 15, 2022 in Washington, DC.
US Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) questions Treasury Undersecretary For Domestic Finance Nellie Liang as she testifies before the Senate Banking Committee Feb. 15, 2022 in Washington, DC. — Win McNamee/Getty Images

WASHINGTON — US Sen. Chris Van Hollen said on Friday that he believes Israel's restrictions on humanitarian aid into Gaza are not in compliance with US policy at this time.

“You still have the Netanyahu government erecting all these restrictions to humanitarian aid, both into Gaza and within Gaza,” Van Hollen told Al-Monitor. “Any plain reading of the obligations indicates that they are not currently in compliance.”

Van Hollen, Maryland Democrat and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke to Al-Monitor during an exclusive interview on US policy toward Israel and the Gaza war.

The Biden administration must decide by Sunday whether Israel's submission this week of required written assurances arguing the country is not obstructing humanitarian assistance and adhering to other conditions are "credible and reliable."

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