October 15th 2024.
The Biden administration has recently reached out to the Israeli government through a letter, expressing their concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The letter, co-written by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, was addressed to Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer. This is a significant step taken by the US to urge Israel to take action in facilitating the delivery of much-needed aid into Gaza.
The US officials stated that they have deep concerns about the current situation and have requested urgent and sustained actions from the Israeli government within the next 30 days to improve the conditions. They also mentioned that the US has noticed a significant decrease in the amount of aid delivered to Gaza since spring, with September receiving the lowest amount in the past year. The deadline for Israel to take action falls after the US presidential election on November 5.
Despite the stern warning, the US has continued to provide military assistance to Israel, including an advanced air defense system and troops who have recently arrived in the country. However, there is a possibility that future US aid could be at risk. The letter, dated October 13, mentions that the US State and Defense departments are required by law to continually assess Israel's adherence to their earlier assurances of not restricting aid flows into Gaza.
The US has presented a list of demands for Israel to meet, including allowing at least 350 trucks a day to enter Gaza through all four major crossings and opening a fifth crossing. They have also requested Israel to implement humanitarian pauses across Gaza as necessary, to enable vaccinations and aid distribution for the next four months. Additionally, Israel is asked to take action in ensuring the safety and security of humanitarian convoys and movements, as well as the functioning of the Jordan Armed forces corridors.
The letter concludes by calling for a new channel of communication between the US and Israeli governments to discuss and address any incidents of civilian harm. The first meeting is scheduled to take place at the end of the month. The ongoing military operations by Israel in northern Gaza have raised concerns, and the UN World Food Programme has warned about the disastrous impact on food security for Palestinian families.
Blinken and Austin's letter also states that the actions taken by the Israeli government appear to be contributing to the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. They expressed concern about the halting of commercial imports, restrictions on humanitarian movements, and other impositions that have led to the accelerated deterioration of conditions in Gaza.
Israel seems to be responding to the letter, as just one day after it was sent, they shared photos of aid being delivered into Gaza on their official COGAT Twitter account. The COGAT stated that 30 trucks entered northern Gaza through the Erez Crossing, emphasizing that they are not preventing the entry of humanitarian aid, especially food, into Gaza. They also assured that they will continue to allow the entry of aid while simultaneously targeting Hamas' military and governance infrastructure.
In addition to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Biden administration has also been working on easing tensions between Iran and Israel. The US officials stated that they have received assurances from Israel that they will not strike Iranian nuclear or oil sites in retaliation for Iran's missile attacks earlier this month. The recent deployment of a US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery and 100 soldiers to operate it has also helped ease Israel's concerns about possible retaliation and overall security.
However, the US officials caution that these assurances are not iron-clad and that circumstances could change. They also mentioned that Israel's track record in fulfilling assurances in the past has been mixed, and their decisions are often influenced by domestic politics. It was seen recently when US officials were told that Israel would welcome a ceasefire initiative for Lebanon, but two days later, they launched a massive airstrike that killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.
In conclusion, the Middle East is currently on high alert as they await Israel's response to Iran's missile attacks. The US has been working towards de-escalation and has urged both countries to refrain from escalating the situation into an all-out regional war. Stay updated with all the latest news, including breaking news, celebrity updates, and sports news, by joining our WhatsApp channel with no comments, algorithms, or sharing of private details.
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