In a letter to Israel, the US threatened to cut off military aid unless it improved access to humanitarian aid in Gaza within 30 days.
The letter, which was sent on Sunday, is the most forceful written warning the United States has ever sent to its friend in the midst of an Israeli onslaught in northern Gaza that has reportedly killed many civilians.
Following Israel's denial or obstruction of about 90% of humanitarian transfers between northern and southern Gaza last month, the United States voiced serious concerns about the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Israel "takes this matter seriously" and intends to "address the concerns raised" with US colleagues, according to an Israeli source who acknowledged that the nation is examining the letter.
Israel has insisted that its military operations are directed at Hamas members and that it does not impede humanitarian assistance, even in the face of the continuous attack.
Cogat, the Israeli military agency in charge of overseeing entry points into Gaza, said Monday that 30 trucks transporting World Food Programme aid had passed through the Erez crossing into northern Gaza.
Cogat, the Israeli military organization in charge of overseeing entry points into Gaza, said Monday that 30 trucks transporting World Food Programme aid had passed through the Erez crossing into northern Gaza.
A UN official characterized the state of affairs in Gaza as a "constant peak emergency," emphasizing the urgent need for aid.
Antoine Renard, head of the World Food Programme (WFP) in the occupied Palestinian territories, remarked that people in northern Gaza are "relying solely on assistance," with virtually no access to fresh food outside of UN aid.
The US is the largest supplier of arms to Israel, and the Israeli military has heavily depended on US-supplied aircraft, guided bombs, missiles, and shells to conduct operations against Hamas in Gaza over the past year.
First reported by Axios, the letter to the Israeli government was confirmed by the State Department and signed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The United States stressed in the letter its "deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza," calling on Israel to act quickly and consistently to halt this downward trend.
Due to severe congestion, 1.7 million people have been compelled to live in the confined coastal al-Mawasi area by Israeli evacuation orders, putting them at "high risk of lethal contagion."
The letter expresses worries that the situation in Gaza is getting worse as a result of steps taken by the Israeli government, such as stopping commercial imports and limiting humanitarian travel.
Within the next 30 days, Israel must take decisive action to increase relief supplies, the US said, threatening to change US policy if it doesn't.
It made reference to US legislation that has the authority to restrict military aid to nations that obstruct the delivery of US humanitarian supplies.
The United States demanded that Israel permit at least 350 trucks per day to pass through Gaza's main crossings and for civilians to travel in al-Mawasi.
Additionally, Israel was encouraged in the letter to reiterate that "no Israeli government policy of forced evacuation of civilians" would exist from northern Gaza to southern areas.
Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, called the letter "a private diplomatic communication that we did not intend to make public" during a press conference in Washington.
He pointed out that the letter's purpose was to convey the adjustments that must be made in order to increase the amount of aid that reaches Gaza.
Miller reaffirmed that beneficiaries of US military support cannot obstruct US humanitarian help, but he declined to speculate on possible repercussions for Israel if it does not enhance access to humanitarian supplies.
He emphasized the need for time to solve the issues listed and stated that the 30-day period had nothing to do with the impending US presidential election.
Israel has previously asserted that there are no limits on the humanitarian aid that can be delivered to Gaza and has blamed UN agencies for any distribution failures.
It also accused Hamas of diverting aid, which the group has denied.
Prior to Israel’s ground offensive in southern Gaza, President Biden had suspended a consignment of bombs in an effort to deter an all-out assault, facing backlash from Republicans and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
On Tuesday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned of the "unimaginable fear, loss of loved ones, confusion, and exhaustion" faced by families in northern Gaza due to the ongoing Israeli offensive.
The Israeli military announced it had sent tanks and troops into Jabalia and its urban refugee camp for the third time to combat Hamas fighters regrouping in the area.
Residents of Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun have been ordered to evacuate to the designated al-Mawasi "humanitarian area."
The UN reported that approximately 50,000 people have fled to Gaza City and other northern regions, but many cannot leave due to safety concerns or personal circumstances.
The situation remains dire, with escalating violence and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, following Israel's response to the unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant casualties and hostages taken.
