The Biden administration has issued a strong warning to Israel, demanding immediate action to alleviate the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.

In a letter sent by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, the US outlined a series of steps Israel must take within 30 days or risk violating US foreign military assistance laws, putting future aid in jeopardy.

The letter expressed deep concerns about the deteriorating situation in Gaza, noting that the amount of aid delivered has dropped by over 50% since the spring, with September seeing the lowest levels in the past year.

The US is urging Israel to allow at least 350 aid trucks into Gaza daily through multiple crossings and implement humanitarian pauses to ensure aid reaches civilians.

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While the US continues to provide military support, including advanced air defense systems and troops, Blinken and Austin made it clear that Israel’s restrictions on aid, coupled with the ongoing military operations in northern Gaza, are worsening the crisis. The letter also called for enhanced security for aid convoys and measures to address civilian harm incidents.

Israel responded quickly, with COGAT, the Israeli agency overseeing aid, stating that 30 aid trucks had entered Gaza and emphasizing that Israel is not blocking humanitarian aid, even as it continues its military operations targeting Hamas.

The situation poses broader questions about stability in the Middle East. As humanitarian conditions worsen in Gaza, there are fears that escalating tensions could lead to increased violence not only within Palestinian territories but also across neighboring countries. The Biden administration’s stance may be seen as an attempt to balance its commitment to Israel with its obligations as a global leader advocating for human rights.

Reported by CNN