Israel Rushes Aid to Gaza in Response to US Warning
In an effort to demonstrate to its primary supporter, the United States, that it is taking immediate measures to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israel has dispatched 50 trucks loaded with aid.
US Threatens to Withdraw Military Aid
On Tuesday, the Biden administration sent a letter to the Israeli government cautioning that the US might retract crucial elements of its military aid to Israel if it fails to mitigate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. This warning, which is not the first of its kind, appears to be strategically timed for the November election.
Israel Sends Aid Trucks to Gaza
On Wednesday, Israel announced that fifty trucks filled with supplies, many of which were provided by Jordan, have been sent to northern Gaza.
The Israeli Defense Ministry, which is responsible for overseeing the supplies, issued a statement saying, "50 trucks carrying humanitarian aid — including food, water, medical supplies and shelter equipment provided by Jordan — were transferred today to northern Gaza through the Allenby Bridge Crossing and the Erez West Crossing as part of our commitment to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza."
The Israeli military has been accused of obstructing aid, including trucks carrying American-supplied support. Despite this, Israel has pledged to "continue to facilitate and ease the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza."
US Raises Concern Over Decreased Aid to Gaza
In the letter, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed concern that the amount of aid entering Gaza has dropped by 50 percent compared to the assurances given in March and April. This letter is widely regarded as the 'strongest' written warning issued by the US to date.
The letter expressed the US government's deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and urged the Israeli government to take urgent and sustained actions to reverse this trend.
The letter highlighted a series of actions by the Israeli government, including halting commercial imports, denying or impeding nearly 90% of humanitarian movements between northern and southern Gaza in September, and implementing burdensome and excessive dual-use restrictions and new vetting and onerous liability and customs requirements for humanitarian staff and shipments. These actions, along with increased lawlessness and looting, are contributing to a rapid deterioration in the conditions in Gaza.
The letter also stressed that Israel "must, starting now and within 30 days" act on a series of measures to rapidly increase aid or else this will "have implications for US policy". This is interpreted as a warning that the US could start limiting or throttling defense aid deliveries to Tel Aviv.
In response to the letter, Israel affirmed that it takes the matter seriously and plans to "address the concerns raised" with its American ally.
Bottom Line
The escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza has prompted a stern warning from the US to its ally, Israel. The US has urged Israel to take immediate and sustained action to reverse the deteriorating conditions in Gaza, threatening to withdraw military aid if Israel fails to act. In response, Israel has dispatched 50 trucks of aid to Gaza and pledged to address the concerns raised by the US. What are your thoughts on this development? Share this article with your friends and discuss. Remember, you can sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
