Egypt Daily News – The United States has highlighted to Israel rising U.S. concerns regarding the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, exacerbated by ongoing military operations.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin have conveyed an urgent message, insisting that Israel must undertake specific measures within 30 days to facilitate humanitarian aid access to Gaza.
This appeal comes amid an Israeli offensive in northern Gaza, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties and worsened living conditions.
The U.S. has pointed out that Israel has severely restricted humanitarian operations, noting that nearly 90% of such movements faced challenges last month.
The American message emphasizes the necessity for Israel to permit at least 350 aid trucks per day and to lift isolation measures on northern Gaza, especially with winter approaching, when conditions will worsen further.
The potential consequences of non-compliance with these demands could include limitations on U.S. military assistance to Israel, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
An Israeli official has confirmed that the government is taking these U.S. communications earnestly and is evaluating the concerns presented.
Humanitarian organizations have reported that the population in Gaza, particularly the 1.7 million displaced individuals, is facing severe survival challenges due to overcrowding and scarce resources.
The Israeli military has cited logistical difficulties, including accusations of aid being misused by Hamas, as contributing factors to the humanitarian crisis.
On a wider scale, Hamas leaders have described Israeli military actions as genocidal and have called for international intervention to safeguard civilians affected by the conflict.
As the situation develops, the outcomes of U.S. diplomatic pressure and Israel’s response will be crucial in determining the humanitarian conditions in Gaza. An Israeli official in Washington stated that Israel takes this matter seriously and plans to address the issues raised with U.S. counterparts.
Reports indicate that the Israeli government is currently conducting a thorough review of the U.S. message, which requested improvements in the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Earlier communications from the Biden administration have emphasized that failure to enhance humanitarian conditions could violate U.S. laws pertaining to foreign military aid, indicating potential repercussions for U.S. military assistance to Israel.
The letter from Blinken and Austin was directly addressed to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer.
