A White House statement calls the $400 million aid package announced Wednesday “a down payment on the United States’ commitment to Palestinians in Gaza, who deserve a better life and expanded opportunities, and the chance to take part in building a viable, independent state of Palestine, together with those who live in the West Bank.” The commitment includes money for new schools, infrastructure and repairs throughout the Palestinian territories, but, as the Guardian points out, there’s no mention of how the U.S. plans to get banned construction materials past Israel and Egypt’s blockade of Gaza.
