White House slams Gaza aid plan as Trump policy challenges funding tied to past IED attacks

At a heated White House briefing on Tuesday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared that the Trump policy had successfully blocked a $50 million Gaza aid package. The funds, designated for humanitarian supplies, including condoms, were slammed by Leavitt as a “preposterous waste of taxpayer money.”

The controversial decision followed a detailed review by the Department of Government Efficiency and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), scrutinising the Biden administration’s foreign aid policies. Leavitt took issue with the allocation of funds for supplies, which were reportedly set to be distributed through local Palestinian organisations and international humanitarian groups. Her primary concern stemmed from allegations that the condoms could be connected to past incidents in which Palestinian terrorists launched explosive devices attached to balloons and condoms into Israel.

These devices, a form of crude weaponry, first appeared in 2017, triggering a series of destructive incidents in southern Israel. The explosive devices, often filled with helium and launched via balloons, have caused fires, and property damage, and posed an ongoing security threat. One of the most alarming incidents occurred near a gas station in 2019, highlighting the danger posed by these explosive materials.

Leavitt’s remarks resonated with critics of foreign aid programs who argue that taxpayer money should not be spent on supplies potentially linked to these dangerous incidents. The $50 million aid package, which was intended to alleviate suffering in Gaza, is now mired in controversy over its potential unintended consequences.

This decision to block the package signals heightened concerns about the effectiveness and safety of foreign aid programs in the region, particularly when there are risks associated with the misuse of materials sent to the area. Leavitt’s stance adds fuel to the ongoing debate about the balance between humanitarian aid and national security in volatile regions like Gaza.