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The Biden administration has issued a stark ultimatum to Israel: significantly increase humanitarian aid access to Gaza within 30 days or risk losing some US military assistance. This warning, delivered in a letter signed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, marks a critical juncture in US-Israel relations amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The letter, sent on Sunday, expresses "deep concern" over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. It cites alarming statistics, noting that Israel denied or impeded nearly 90% of humanitarian movements between northern and southern Gaza last month. The US government is particularly worried about the 1.7 million Palestinians crowded into the narrow, coastal al-Mawasi area, where they face "high risk of lethal contagion" due to extreme overcrowding.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed the letter's contents, emphasizing that recipients of US military aid cannot arbitrarily deny or impede US humanitarian assistance. While declining to speculate on specific consequences, Miller stressed the importance of following the law.
The ultimatum comes as Israel continues its offensive in northern Gaza, reportedly causing significant civilian casualties. On Monday, the Israeli body managing crossings into Gaza reported that 30 aid trucks from the World Food Programme had entered northern Gaza through the Erez crossing, ending a two-week period without food aid deliveries to the region.
Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas's attack on southern Israel, more than 42,340 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The war has also spilled over into neighboring Lebanon, with Israel launching ground operations against Hezbollah bases.
International criticism of Israel's actions has intensified, particularly after attacks on United Nations peacekeepers during the Lebanon offensive. German Foreign Chancellor Annalena Baerbock emphasized the need to protect UNIFIL personnel while acknowledging Israel's right to self-defense.
The conflict has taken a new turn with Hezbollah's acting leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, vowing to target Haifa and other parts of Israel, including Tel Aviv. Kassem assumed leadership after Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrikes.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of US-Israel relations and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. With the 30-day deadline looming, all eyes are on Israel's response to this unprecedented pressure from its most important ally.
