US asks Israel to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza to avoid action on military aid: Report

In a letter dated October 13, addressed to their Israeli counterparts, Blinken and Austin expressed the US govt's "deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza," and called for urgent actions by the Israeli govt to reverse this trend.

By: Express Web Desk

Updated: October 16, 2024 01:43 AM IST

3 min read

Residents have been instructed to evacuate to southern Gaza, yet many Palestinian and U.N. officials contend that there is no safe area in the territory. (Representational Photo/ REUTERS)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that Israel must take steps within the next month to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza to avoid potential legal action regarding US military aid, news agency Reuters reported citing sources.

In a letter dated October 13, addressed to their Israeli counterparts, Blinken and Austin expressed the US government’s “deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza,” and called for urgent and sustained actions by the Israeli government to reverse this trend, the report said. The contents of the letter were first reported by a journalist from Israeli News 12 on X (formerly Twitter), with two sources confirming its authenticity to Reuters.

However, the State Department and Pentagon or representatives from the Israeli government have not mentioned anything on the same.

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Washington has consistently urged Tel Aviv to enhance humanitarian conditions in Gaza since the conflict with Hamas escalated following attacks on southern Israel over a year ago. However, the Biden administration has not placed restrictions on military aid sent to Israel.

These reports emerge as Israeli forces intensify operations in northern Gaza, amid ongoing concerns regarding humanitarian aid access and the availability of food, water, and medicine for civilians. Earlier reports indicated that food supplies have dramatically decreased since Israeli authorities implemented a new customs regulation affecting some humanitarian aid and have reduced deliveries organised by businesses.

Last week, the United States informed the UN Security Council that Israel needs to urgently address the “catastrophic conditions” faced by Palestinian civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip and halt actions that “intensify suffering” by limiting aid deliveries.

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The secretaries’ letter specified actions Israel must undertake within 30 days, including allowing a minimum of 350 trucks to enter Gaza daily, instituting pauses in hostilities to facilitate aid delivery, and rescinding evacuation orders for Palestinian civilians when not operationally necessary.

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“Failure to demonstrate a sustained commitment to implementing and maintaining these measures may have implications for US policy … and relevant US law,” the letter warned. It referenced Section 620i of the Foreign Assistance Act, which prohibits military aid to countries that obstruct the delivery of US humanitarian assistance.

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Additionally, it cited a National Security Memorandum issued by President Joe Biden in February, which mandates the State Department to report to Congress on whether it finds credible Israel’s assurances that its use of US weaponry does not violate US or international law.

Earlier this year, US officials indicated that Israel may have breached international humanitarian law by using US-supplied weapons during its military operations in Gaza.

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