The U.S. government has taken a significant diplomatic step by urging Israel to address the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, revealing deep concerns about the impact of their measures on future security cooperation, Fox News reported.
The letter, revealed by Axios, was sent by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, urging immediate action from Israel to ameliorate the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, State Department spokesman Matt Miller confirmed the existence of the letter but emphasized that it was intended to be a private diplomatic communication. The letter was a response to the increasingly critical humanitarian conditions faced by Gaza residents, attributed to Israeli policies restricting aid.
According to the leaked correspondence, the U.S. secretaries expressed disapproval over Israeli policies, including the cessation of commercial imports and a massive reduction in humanitarian movement, reported to be impeded by nearly 90% in September. These actions were seen to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis faced by Gaza's population.
The U.S. indicated that since Israel's assurances earlier this year to improve conditions, the quantity of aid entering Gaza has drastically decreased, plummeting by half in September. This troubling trend prompted the U.S. to provide Israel with a 30-day deadline to take corrective action towards improving the humanitarian situation.
Failure to comply with the requested actions, the letter warned, could violate U.S. law and impact America's security policy, potentially putting future U.S. foreign military financing to Israel at risk. The situation raised considerable tension as Israel has long been the largest recipient of U.S. aid, accruing nearly $310 billion in total since the founding of the state.
National security expert Richard Goldberg criticized the letter, questioning whether the move was a political strategy or a genuine policy shift that could lead to a reassessment of U.S.-Israel arms relations. Goldberg's critical view highlighted the geopolitical complexities involved in U.S.-Israel relations.
Matt Miller elaborated on the ongoing assessment by the U.S. regarding the humanitarian assistance provided to Gaza under the Foreign Assistance Act. The U.S. annually provides Israel with more than $3 billion in security aid, underlining the strategic relationship between the two nations.
Alongside the letter, the U.S. has continued to demonstrate its strong support for Israel. Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman, stated the recent U.S. deployment of a THAAD anti-missile battery underscored the commitment to Israel's defense against threats from Iran.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical, with the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health reporting over 40,000 fatalities since the conflict began. The International Rescue Committee emphasized the widespread need for help, noting the displacement of 1.9 million people out of Gaza's population of 2.1 million.
In defending its position, Israel, through the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), claimed that it is actively working on humanitarian aid. COGAT reported that 54,270 trucks of aid have entered Gaza since the commencement of hostilities, carrying over a million tons of goods.
John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, explained that the letter was meant to express urgency regarding humanitarian issues. He stressed that this is a message one can convey to an ally and hoped that Israel would heed the call to prevent future diplomatic confrontations.
The situation comes at a time when the U.S. has significantly increased its security aid to Israel following events from October 7, 2023, which resulted in bolstered support in the form of munitions, weapon systems, and military personnel.
This development in U.S.-Israel relations highlights the intricate balance the U.S. navigates in maintaining its commitment to Israel while advocating for humanitarian support and compliance with international humanitarian laws as mandated by President Biden. The coming weeks will reveal if diplomatic pressure will engender the desired changes in Gaza's humanitarian landscape.
