Israel Faces U.S. Pressure Over Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis
An Israeli official in Washington confirmed that Israel is reviewing a message from two senior U.S. officials urging it to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Failure to do so could result in restrictions on U.S. military aid, the official said on Tuesday evening.
The message came at a critical time when the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza have sparked international concerns. According to the Israeli official, “Israel takes this issue seriously and intends to address the concerns raised in the message with our American counterparts.”
U.S. Demands Action Within a Month
The U.S. communication highlighted that Israel must take steps within a month to improve conditions in Gaza or potentially face limits on military aid. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin outlined this in a letter to the Israeli government, which they sent on Sunday.
The letter stressed the importance of raising the level of humanitarian aid entering Gaza, as current levels are “extremely low.” The U.S. expects to see an improvement in aid deliveries within 30 days.
U.S. Law and Military Aid to Israel
The letter also referenced U.S. law, which requires that recipients of U.S. military aid do not “arbitrarily reject or obstruct the delivery of American humanitarian assistance.” The U.S. is Israel’s largest military supporter, providing billions of dollars in aid annually. Since the outbreak of conflict in Gaza, the U.S. has once temporarily suspended a weapons shipment to Israel.
Gaza’s Health System and Immediate Humanitarian Needs
Meanwhile, Gaza’s Government Media Office has issued an urgent call for the immediate opening of a humanitarian corridor to save the collapsing healthcare system in the northern part of the besieged Gaza Strip. The call came amid dire conditions, with hospitals running out of essential supplies and the infrastructure on the verge of collapse.
Despite speculation, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller denied that the letter was linked to the upcoming U.S. presidential elections on November 5. However, he reaffirmed the importance of Israel taking steps within the 30-day period outlined in the communication.
