Sa’ar tells Austrian counterpart that Israel backs US plan for Gaza aid, vows Hamas won’t benefit

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar briefs Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger on Israel’s plans in Gaza, including a decision to support the US-backed plan to allow humanitarian aid into the war-torn enclave.

“Israel endorses the American plan presented by [US Ambassador to Israel Mike] Huckabee on Friday. Aid, facilitated by a private fund, will be directly distributed to the people. Hamas must not benefit from it anymore!” writes Sa’ar in a post on X about the phone call with his Austrian counterpart.

Briefed Austrian FM @BMeinl on Gaza. Throughout the war, Israel facilitated the flow of humanitarian aid. But Hamas stole the aid from the people and also earned money from it. If that continues – the war will never end. Israel endorses the American plan presented by Amb.… pic.twitter.com/gzOdRKZ3nV

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) May 11, 2025

“Throughout the war, Israel facilitated the flow of humanitarian aid. But Hamas stole the aid from the people and also earned money from it. If that continues, the war will never end,” says Sa’ar.

Earlier today, at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Sa’ar announced that Israel “fully endorses” the newly presented plan, which Huckabee said over the weekend should take effect soon, without giving many details.

“Humanitarian aid will be facilitated by a private fund — based on the principles laid out by the US administration. It will enable aid to go directly to the people. Hamas must not be allowed to get their hands on it,” Sa’ar said at the press conference.

Despite Sa’ar characterization of it as a US aid plan, officials involved in crafting the plan and those familiar with it tell The Times of Israel that Jerusalem was closely involved in its inception, including the establishment of the Swiss-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation that will be managing it, and that US involvement only came after the fact.