Israel on Monday rejected claims by Cindy McCain, director of the United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP), that only two WFP trucks entered Gaza in November. McCain’s statements on CBS News’ Face the Nation accused Israel of targeting aid workers and obstructing aid, leading to significant pushback from Israeli officials.
Israeli government spokesman David Mencer countered McCain’s figures, providing detailed data on aid deliveries. “During the month of November, 847 World Food Program trucks were coordinated into Gaza,” Mencer stated during a press briefing. He clarified that these trucks included critical supplies such as food, water, medical equipment, and shelter materials. Over the last week alone, 1,316 humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza, with 254 trucks arriving in the last 24 hours.
Mencer also noted that while 75 trucks had been distributed within Gaza, around 700 trucks’ worth of aid remained in the territory awaiting distribution by local agencies. He added that since December began, Gaza had received 16 million pounds of flour designated for bakeries.
McCain’s remarks, which also implied that Israel, rather than Hamas, was responsible for aid looting in Gaza, were part of a broader discussion with CBS host Margaret Brennan. Brennan claimed Gaza faced “famine” and suggested it was “man-made,” a claim that contradicts official UN findings.
Mencer expressed disappointment in McCain’s allegations, stating they were particularly troubling given the respect Israel holds for her late husband, Sen. John McCain. Cindy McCain endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 election, continuing tensions between the McCain family and Trump following public disputes during Trump’s first presidential campaign.
Israel emphasized its commitment to facilitating aid while maintaining security, countering claims of deliberate obstruction with data on significant deliveries made in November and December.
