U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina signaled opposition to future funding for a Palestinian state if Hamas remains in control or if the Palestinian Authority under Mahmoud Abbas is the governing body. He conveyed this stance during a television appearance on ABC, outlining a condition many policymakers have debated in the context of Middle East policy.
Graham argued that the international community would have failed if Hamas persists in governing or influencing the Palestinian political landscape. He stated clearly that he would not invest any funds, not even 15 cents, in a future Palestine as long as Hamas exists or as long as the Palestinian Authority is perceived as corrupt in the eyes of its own people. He emphasized that continuing to send aid to the Palestinian people while Hamas holds power would be illogical in his view.
The senator insisted that funds should not be redirected to bodies he views as unable to govern effectively or refrain from using resources for purposes other than humanitarian relief. He underscored that he would withhold American aid entirely if Hamas remains active, stressing that money should not be allocated to manage the Gaza Strip and the West Bank under those conditions.
The broader regional context intensified on October 7, when thousands of armed Hamas supporters entered Israel from the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel to announce that it was at war. Officials described the objective of Israel’s actions as protecting its citizens, repelling the attack, and seeking the release of hostages, including foreigners. In response, Israel launched extensive rocket strikes on the Gaza Strip and imposed measures aimed at disrupting the movement of people and goods. The Israeli National Security Council decided to halt the flow of water, food, basic goods, electricity, and fuel into the Gaza Strip as part of its strategic response.
As the conflict continued, the situation evolved with further military operations. On October 27, Israel announced an expansion of its ground offensive in Gaza. By November 5, Israeli forces had surrounded the Gaza City and cut off its supply lines as part of the ground campaign. On December 5, the IDF began the third phase of the ground operation, which included a siege in the Khan Younis area in the southern portion of the enclave.
Subsequent reporting noted discussions in Washington about the possibility of transferring governance structures in Gaza or supporting a shift in authority within the region, a topic tied to broader debates about how humanitarian aid should be managed in a conflict zone. Observers highlighted that decisions about aid distribution, governance, and reconstruction are deeply intertwined with security, political legitimacy, and long-term stability in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. Attribution: summary of public statements and ongoing reporting from major news organizations.