U.S. Warns Israel of Potential Military Aid Cuts Over Gaza Situation
In a significant communication last month, the United States issued a stern warning to Israeli officials, stressing the need to enhance the flow of humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip within a 30-day timeframe. Failure to comply could result in reductions to military aid, according to U.S. officials. This warning is rooted in American law, which prohibits providing military assistance to any nation that obstructs the distribution of humanitarian supplies funded by the U.S.
Reports indicate that the volume of humanitarian aid entering Gaza had plummeted by more than 50% last month compared to its peak levels, marking the lowest point since the onset of the current conflict. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, highlighted the alarming situation, as United Nations officials report that conditions in Gaza have worsened, with widespread hunger affecting countless individuals.
Analysts express skepticism regarding the potential impact of this warning on Israeli leadership. Aaron David Miller, a prominent figure at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, remarked, “It strains the bounds of credulity to the breaking point to believe that the administration would act to restrict U.S. military aid to Israel as the Iran-Israel crisis intensifies.”
Response from Israel:
Israeli officials have yet to provide a formal response to the letter. However, the Israeli agency responsible for overseeing policies in the Palestinian territories reported that 30 aid trucks successfully passed through a designated crossing point into northern Gaza. U.S. officials had previously indicated that an adequate flow would require approximately 300 to 400 aid trucks per day.
On the Ground:
U.S. officials are particularly alarmed about the conditions in northern Gaza, where approximately 400,000 individuals are still residing. A former schoolteacher in the area faced a harrowing decision: follow an Israeli military directive to evacuate or remain with her mother, who is wheelchair-bound and unable to relocate.
In Other News:
- The Israeli government has informed the U.S. that it will not target Iran’s nuclear or oil facilities in retaliation for the recent missile attacks from Iran, leading to a 5 percent decline in oil prices.
- Sheikh Qassem, the acting leader of Hezbollah, vowed to escalate attacks on Israel, asserting that only a cease-fire would enable the roughly 60,000 displaced Israelis to return to their homes.