U.S. Warns Israel: Boost Gaza Aid in 30 Days or Risk Military Support Cut

 

The U.S. government has warned Israel that it must significantly boost humanitarian aid to Gaza within the next 30 days or face potential cuts to U.S. military support. This marks the strongest formal warning from the U.S. to its ally, highlighting growing concerns over Israel’s handling of humanitarian access amid ongoing military operations in northern Gaza.

The letter, dated Sunday, was signed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. It outlines a series of measures that Israel must implement to allow more aid to reach Gaza’s civilian population. If these measures are not met within 30 days, U.S. military assistance could be restricted, a move that could severely impact Israel’s defense capabilities.

Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation in Gaza

The letter comes at a critical time as Israel intensifies its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. The offensive, particularly in the northern region, has led to significant civilian casualties, raising alarms among international humanitarian organizations.

According to U.S. officials, nearly 90% of humanitarian movements between northern and southern Gaza were blocked by Israeli authorities in September, worsening conditions for the civilian population. The U.S. government has expressed deep concerns about the escalating crisis, citing reports that more than 1.7 million Palestinians have been forced into overcrowded areas, with limited access to food, clean water, and medical supplies.

Israel’s Response to U.S. Concerns

An unnamed Israeli official confirmed that the letter had been received and stated that Israel is reviewing the U.S. demands. The official emphasized that Israel “takes this matter seriously” and intends to address the concerns raised by the U.S. However, the official also reiterated that Israel is focused on targeting Hamas operatives in northern Gaza and not on blocking aid deliveries.

The Israeli military body responsible for managing Gaza crossings, COGAT, announced on Monday that 30 trucks carrying aid from the World Food Programme had entered northern Gaza through the Erez crossing. This followed a two-week hiatus in aid deliveries, during which U.N. agencies reported critical shortages of essential supplies for over 400,000 people in the region.

The U.S.-Israel Military Partnership at Stake

The U.S. is Israel’s largest military supplier, providing billions of dollars in aircraft, guided bombs, missiles, and other military equipment. The Israeli military has relied heavily on these resources to combat Hamas in Gaza, and any reduction in U.S. aid could severely hinder Israel’s defense capabilities.

The U.S. letter, which was first reported by Axios, explicitly ties Israel’s continued access to U.S. military aid to its willingness to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza. “We are particularly concerned that recent actions by the Israeli government… are contributing to an accelerated deterioration in the conditions in Gaza,” the letter states. It goes on to warn that failure to meet U.S. demands could result in “implications for U.S. policy.”

U.S. laws governing foreign military financing prohibit assistance to countries that impede the delivery of humanitarian aid. The letter calls for Israel to immediately allow at least 350 aid trucks per day through Gaza’s four major crossings and to create a new fifth crossing to expedite deliveries.

Diplomatic Tensions Rising

At a news conference on Tuesday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller acknowledged the letter, describing it as “a private diplomatic communication that we did not intend to make public.” While Miller declined to speculate on what specific consequences Israel could face if it fails to meet U.S. demands, he emphasized that the U.S. remains committed to ensuring its humanitarian aid reaches those in need.

“Recipients of U.S. military assistance do not arbitrarily deny or impede the provision of U.S. humanitarian aid. That’s just the law,” Miller stated. However, he expressed optimism that Israel would take the necessary steps to meet the requirements outlined in the letter.

Challenges on the Ground

Despite the U.S. pressure, conditions in Gaza remain dire. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), civilians in northern Gaza are facing “unimaginable fear, loss of loved ones, confusion, and exhaustion” as Israel’s military campaign continues. The ICRC has warned of an impending health crisis due to overcrowding, lack of sanitation, and limited access to medical care.

Israel’s military operations in Jabalia, a densely populated area in northern Gaza, have drawn international criticism for the high civilian toll. Over the past week, Israeli air and artillery strikes have killed dozens of civilians, including entire families. While Israel maintains that it is targeting Hamas fighters, reports from the ground suggest that many of the casualties are civilians trapped in the conflict zone.

Humanitarian Aid and the U.S. Presidential Election

The timing of the U.S. letter to Israel has raised questions about its connection to the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November. However, U.S. officials have denied any direct link between the two events. “The 30-day time limit was not linked to the election,” Miller said during the news conference, adding that the U.S. government simply felt it was “appropriate to give Israel time to address the issues.”

Despite these assurances, the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza could have implications for U.S. foreign policy and its longstanding relationship with Israel. President Joe Biden has faced increasing pressure from both Republicans and Democrats to balance military support for Israel with humanitarian concerns.

Future Outlook

As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the next 30 days will be crucial for both Israel and the U.S. The Biden administration’s warning signals a shift in U.S.-Israel relations, with humanitarian concerns playing a more prominent role in the allocation of military aid. Whether Israel will take the necessary steps to address U.S. demands remains to be seen.

The outcome of this diplomatic standoff will not only affect Israel’s military capabilities but also the broader stability of the Middle East. With international attention focused on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israel’s actions in the coming weeks will be closely scrutinized by both its allies and critics.