A controversy over a US government grant has sparked a political furore, with claims that the Biden administration set aside$ 50 million for the distribution of condoms in Gaza. However, the money were really for an AIDS and STD prevention initiative in Gaza state, Mozambique—not the Arab colony, according to US department of health and human services.
Under the new Trump administration, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted that tax wealth had been wasted on contraception for Gaza. She referred to a review by the department of government efficiency ( DOGE ), led by Elon Musk, and the Office of Management and Budget ( OMB), calling it a “preposterous waste of taxpayer money.” But, no evidence was provided to support this claim.
An X user, citing a fact-checking website, pointed out that the US department of health and human services ( HHS) had actually sent$ 83 million to Mozambique, including funding for health programmes in Gaza province. The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, a victim of these resources, has received over$ 83 million since 2021 to help HIV and TB service in Mozambique.
A important source of confusion was a typo in the offer information, which referred to” INGAZA”. This led to falsehoods about the connection between the resources and the Gaza Strip in Palestine.
The claims were also refuted by the International Medical Corps ( IMC), a nonprofit organization that provides medical care in Gaza. It said:” No US. authorities funding was used to collect or disperse contraceptives, nor provide family-planning services”. Also, studies from governmental years 2007 through 2023 on contraceptive supplies by USAID present no record of contraceptives being sent to Gaza.
Despite the facts, Jesse Watters, a host on Fox News ‘ talk show, claimed Hamas was launching explosive-laden balloons into Israel while using the alleged U.S. condom shipments to make” condom bombs” after receiving additional attention from the Biden administration. Nevertheless, he provided no evidence to support this claim.
Elon Musk even weighed in on social media, rudely referencing” Magnum” contraception, a company known for its larger size. His statement made reference to earlier studies of Hamas using flaming condoms as explosive devices.
Andrew Miller, a former deputy associate director for Israeli-Palestinian Affairs, dismissed the charges as “outlandish”. He argued that while some US money might have been used for broader sexual health services, it was unlikely that millions of dollars would have been used solely for contraceptives.
However, the Trump presidency continues its assessment of federal spending, temporarily halting some aid programmes.
