The United States has told Israel it must take action within the next month to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza or face a freeze on American military aid, American officials said.
Source: Reuters
Details: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin wrote to Israeli officials on Sunday calling for tough action to address the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian enclave amid renewed Israeli offensives in the north Gaza, US officials said on Tuesday.
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Failure to do so could affect US policy, according to the letter, which was first reported by Israel’s News 12 television channel.
“We are particularly concerned that recent actions by the Israeli government … are contributing to a more rapid deterioration of conditions in Gaza,” read a copy of the letter sent to X by an Axios reporter.
The letter cites restrictions imposed by Israel, including commercial imports, a ban on most humanitarian movements between northern and southern Gaza, and “heavy and excessive” restrictions on goods that can enter Gaza.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the letter was “not a threat” but reiterated the urgent need for more humanitarian aid in Gaza.
“We think they (the Israelis) are taking this seriously,” Kirby said of the letter, without elaborating.
An Israeli official in Washington said the letter had been received and was being reviewed. “Israel is taking this matter seriously and intends to discuss with our American counterparts the issues raised in this letter,” the official said.
The letter is the clearest ultimatum to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government since the Gaza conflict began, raising expectations of a shift in Washington’s support for Israel.
The letter outlines specific steps Israel must take within 30 days, including allowing at least 350 trucks a day into Gaza, establishing stops in fighting to allow aid to be delivered, and lifting orders to evacuate Palestinian civilians when there is no immediate need to do so. therefore essential.
2024-10-15 22:57:00
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