The United States has informed Israel of the need for urgent humanitarian improvements in Gaza within the next month to avoid potential curbs on U.S. military support, according to U.S. officials. This is the most forceful warning since the conflict with Hamas began a year ago.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued a joint letter to Israeli authorities on Sunday. They demanded immediate actions to mitigate the dire conditions in Gaza, particularly in light of a fresh Israeli offensive in the northern regions, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.
The letter warned that failing to address these issues could alter U.S. policies. Israeli News 12 first reported on the correspondence.
The letter expresses deep concerns over the Israeli government’s recent policies, which “are contributing to an accelerated deterioration in the conditions in Gaza,” according to a copy posted by an Axios reporter on X.
It highlighted the imposition of severe restrictions by Israel, including limits on commercial imports and the movement of humanitarian aid across Gaza, as well as overly stringent controls on incoming goods.
John Kirby, a spokesperson for White House national security, emphasized that the letter was intended not as a threat but as a strong reminder of the need to enhance humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
“It appears to us that they (the Israelis) are taking this seriously,” Kirby said of the letter, without elaborating.
An Israeli official in Washington confirmed the receipt of the letter, stating, “Israel takes this matter seriously and intends to address the concerns raised in this letter with our American counterparts.”
This letter represents the most explicit ultimatum to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration since the start of the Gaza conflict, suggesting a potential pivot in U.S. support for Israel.
The letter delineates specific actions that Israel must undertake within the next 30 days, such as facilitating the entry of at least 350 trucks daily into Gaza, instituting ceasefire periods to allow aid delivery, and revoking civilian evacuation orders unless operationally necessary.
The correspondence warns that failure to consistently implement these measures could affect U.S. policy and adherence to relevant laws, specifically pointing out Section 620i of the Foreign Assistance Act, which blocks military aid to nations hindering U.S. humanitarian aid.
It also refers to a National Security Memorandum issued by President Joe Biden in February, mandating the State Department to assess and report to Congress the credibility of Israel’s assurances regarding the lawful use of U.S. weapons.
Washington has consistently urged Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza following the commencement of hostilities with Hamas on October 7, 2023, triggered by attacks from the Palestinian militant group on southern Israel.
Despite prior warnings, the Biden administration has generally been hesitant to impose restrictions on the substantial military aid provided to Israel.
Israel maintains that its military operations, which include targeting Hamas militants concealed within civilian areas and tunnels, comply with international law.
Balancing its critique, the administration announced on the same day as the letter that it would enhance its military support to Israel by deploying U.S. troops and advanced THAAD anti-missile systems.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller mentioned that Blinken also sent a letter in April urging Israeli improvements in humanitarian access. Following Biden’s April warning that U.S. policy could shift based on Israel’s actions, the number of aid trucks entering Gaza briefly increased to 300-400 daily, although it has since declined sharply.
Miller emphasized the urgency of implementing these changes immediately, not just within 30 days.
