The Biden administration has issued a warning to Israel, urging the country to enhance the amount of humanitarian aid being allowed into Gaza within the next 30 days. Failure to comply could result in Israel losing access to U.S. weapons funding. The call for increased aid comes amidst deteriorating conditions in northern Gaza, exacerbated by an Israeli airstrike on a hospital tent site in central Gaza that resulted in casualties.
According to State Department officials, previous efforts to boost humanitarian assistance to Gaza following a similar warning in April have not been sustained, with aid levels dropping significantly. To continue qualifying for foreign military financing, Israel must ensure that at least 350 trucks of aid enter Gaza daily, implement additional humanitarian pauses, and enhance security for humanitarian sites.
The Biden administration emphasized that the letter to Israel was not intended as a threat but rather as a means to underscore the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The U.S. is calling on Israel to ease restrictions that have hindered the flow of aid into the region.
Humanitarian organizations have expressed concerns that Israeli actions, such as halting commercial imports and impeding humanitarian movements, are exacerbating the crisis in Gaza. The United Nations has reported critical shortages of essential supplies in northern Gaza, including fuel, medications, and food.
U.S. officials underscored Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law and emphasized the importance of ensuring that American humanitarian assistance reaches those in need without impediments. The Biden administration reaffirmed its unwavering support for Israel while urging the country to address the pressing humanitarian needs in Gaza.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with thousands of lives lost. The U.S. has provided substantial military aid to Israel, enabling the country to conduct operations against Hamas and Hezbollah. However, concerns persist over civilian casualties resulting from these military actions.
