WASHINGTON — The Biden administration issued a warning that it may restrict weapons transfers to Israel if the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip does not increase. A letter from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin accused Israel of reducing humanitarian assistance to Gaza Palestinians and referenced a memorandum issued by President Joe Biden in February, which linked military aid to the administration of humanitarian relief by the receiving country.
The letter gave Israel a 30-day deadline to increase the delivery of humanitarian aid, including allowing at least 350 trucks of relief per day, up from 69 per day in August. Failure to comply could result in consequences ranging from a second warning to suspending deliveries of weapons.
Vice President Kamala Harris also expressed concern over the slowdown in aid delivery to Gaza, emphasizing the need for Israel to facilitate the flow of aid to those in need and respect international humanitarian law.
The letter outlined various obstacles hindering humanitarian assistance in Gaza, including strict customs rules and extreme overcrowding that put civilians at high risk of lethal contagion. The Biden administration emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza, which is facing a famine or near-famine conditions.
While an Israeli official indicated that Israel is reviewing the concerns raised in the letter, Israel has denied hindering aid delivery and shared video evidence of trucks entering Gaza for humanitarian aid.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) criticized the letter, stating that threatening to cut off American support for Israel weakens the ally and sends a dangerous message to common enemies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aims to crush Hamas in Gaza while also focusing on fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Despite the tensions, Israel continues to allow the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza while targeting Hamas’ military infrastructure. The situation remains complex as Israel balances its security concerns with the humanitarian needs of Gaza residents.
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