WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has issued a stern warning to Israel, giving the country 30 days to improve humanitarian access in Gaza or risk the possibility of having some U.S. military assistance cut off.
The warning, delivered in a letter sent on Sunday, October 13, 2024, represents the most forceful written communication from the U.S. to Israel regarding its conduct in Gaza since the war with Hamas escalated last year.
The letter, signed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, expresses “deep concern” over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The U.S. accuses Israel of impeding nearly 90% of humanitarian movements between northern and southern Gaza in September, warning that continued restrictions could trigger U.S. legal provisions prohibiting military aid to nations obstructing the delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance.
“We are now writing to underscore the U.S. government’s deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza,” the letter reads, urging Israel to take “urgent and sustained actions” within the next 30 days.
U.S. Demands Action on Aid in Gaza
The letter calls for Israel to “surge all forms of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza” before winter arrives, specifying that at least 350 trucks carrying food, medical supplies, and other essential aid must be allowed to enter Gaza daily.
It also demands that Israel lift restrictions on aid personnel and humanitarian organizations.
Failure to comply, the letter states, could “have implications for U.S. policy,” hinting at the potential reduction of military aid to Israel.
This marks a notable shift in the Biden administration’s approach, as the U.S. remains Israel’s largest supplier of military equipment.
The Biden administration’s concerns are also tied to reports of extreme overcrowding in Gaza’s al-Mawasi area, where 1.7 million displaced Palestinians are sheltering after being forced out of their homes in northern Gaza.
The letter warns that the area faces “high risk of lethal contagion” due to inadequate resources.
Israel’s Response
An Israeli official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the government had received the letter and was reviewing it.
“Israel takes this matter seriously,” the official said, adding that Israeli authorities intend to “address the concerns raised” in discussions with U.S. counterparts.
Israel maintains that it is not blocking humanitarian aid, instead accusing Hamas of stealing supplies meant for civilians, a claim Hamas denies.
The Israeli military body responsible for managing crossings into Gaza, Cogat, reported that 30 trucks carrying aid from the World Food Programme entered northern Gaza on Monday, breaking a two-week period in which no aid had been delivered to the area.
Mounting Pressure from Washington
At a news conference on Tuesday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller acknowledged the letter’s contents, noting that it was meant to remain a private diplomatic communication.
“Secretary [Blinken] along with Secretary Austin thought it was appropriate to make clear to the government of Israel that there are changes they need to make,” Miller told reporters.
Miller declined to speculate on the consequences if Israel does not improve aid access but reiterated that U.S. laws prohibit military assistance to countries that obstruct humanitarian deliveries.
This warning comes as the U.S. tries to balance its strong alliance with Israel with growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
More than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in the territory since the Israeli military launched its campaign against Hamas in response to the October 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.
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Ongoing Conflict
The war in Gaza has drawn widespread condemnation, with many urging Israel to exercise restraint and prioritize civilian protection.
The Israeli military, however, insists it is targeting Hamas militants and infrastructure in the region, denying that civilians are being deliberately harmed.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military launched its third ground incursion into the northern town of Jabalia in ten days, claiming that dozens of Hamas fighters were killed.
The UN and other aid organizations have reported severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies in Gaza, describing the situation as a “constant peak emergency.”
Khalid, a resident of Jabalia, described the terror facing his family in a voice note featured in a BBC documentary.
“We were told to go to the south, but we couldn’t because the Israeli army has surrounded the area,” he said. “At the same time, because of the intense bombing, we’re living in constant terror.”
U.S.-Israel Tensions
While the U.S. remains a key ally of Israel, this letter underscores the growing tension between the two nations over how Israel handles the Gaza conflict.
President Biden, who has long emphasised Israel’s right to defend itself, has also faced pressure from within his party and the international community to address the humanitarian toll of the war.
As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces increasing criticism at home and abroad, the Biden administration’s push for increased aid access reflects a nuanced approach: supporting Israel’s security while demanding measures to alleviate civilian suffering.
The next 30 days will be crucial as both governments navigate the complex dynamics of military support and humanitarian obligations.
