From PBS NewsHour.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen and UN ambassador nominee Mike Waltz clashed Tuesday over the Israel-Hamas war, humanitarian aid to Gaza and the killing of an American citizen by Israeli settlers.
Waltz was appearing before a Senate Foreign Relations committee hearing to consider his nomination as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Van Hollen said that Israel had blocked aid, including food, from entering Gaza for 78 days earlier this year. Israel later supported a private entity, the Gaza Humanitarian Fund, to distribute aid. The U.S. has given funding to the organization. However, this organization has been criticized for its operations, including the shooting of Palestinians seeking aid.

“If you could answer my question about American taxpayer dollars going to fund this private entity,” Van Hollen asked.

Waltz retorted by calling on Hamas to end the war with Israel by surrendering.

“I do agree that there is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. I hope you would agree that Hamas could stop it tomorrow by laying down their arms and releasing the [hostages],” Waltz said.Watch PBS News for daily, breaking and live news, plus special coverage.

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