U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin have urged Israel to take immediate steps to improve the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, according to recent reports. In an October 13 letter sent to their Israeli counterparts, which was first reported by Israeli News 12 and later verified by sources, Blinken and Austin expressed deep concern over the current conditions in Gaza. They highlighted that urgent and sustained actions were needed within the next month to avoid possible legal action related to U.S. military aid.
The letter emphasized that Washington had been pressing Israel to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza since the war with Hamas began over a year ago, following the Palestinian militant group’s attacks on southern Israel. While the Biden administration has refrained from restricting military aid to Israel, this letter marks a shift in tone, suggesting that failure to improve conditions could have significant consequences.
According to the reports, the letter outlines several specific steps Israel must take within the next 30 days. These include enabling a minimum of 350 trucks per day to enter Gaza, instituting pauses in the fighting to allow for the safe delivery of humanitarian aid, and rescinding evacuation orders for Palestinian civilians when there is no operational need for such measures. The letter warns that if Israel fails to demonstrate a sustained commitment to these actions, U.S. policy, and relevant laws, including military aid provisions, could be impacted.
The letter references Section 620i of the Foreign Assistance Act, which prohibits military aid to countries that obstruct the delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance. This clause underscores the potential legal ramifications for Israel if humanitarian conditions do not improve. It also refers to a National Security Memorandum issued by President Joe Biden in February, requiring the State Department to report to Congress on whether Israel’s use of U.S.-supplied weapons complies with U.S. and international law.
The United States has voiced increasing concern about Israel’s humanitarian conduct in Gaza, particularly in relation to the distribution of aid. Washington previously warned Israel at the U.N. Security Council of the urgent need to address the “catastrophic conditions” for Palestinian civilians. The letter’s demand for immediate action comes as Israeli forces expand their operations in northern Gaza, where access to food, water, and medicine remains severely restricted.
Earlier reports by Reuters indicated that food supplies in Gaza have dwindled due to new customs rules imposed by Israeli authorities, which have compounded the difficulties in delivering humanitarian aid. The letter marks a significant moment in U.S.-Israeli relations, highlighting the Biden administration’s growing impatience with Israel’s handling of the humanitarian crisis.
Although the State Department and Pentagon have not yet responded to requests for comment on the letter, the situation places additional pressure on Israel to act. Israeli officials have also not commented on the reports. If Israel fails to comply with the outlined measures, it may face restrictions on U.S. military aid, a key pillar of its defense strategy.
The letter signals a broader shift in U.S. policy toward Israel’s actions in Gaza, with Blinken and Austin making clear that humanitarian concerns are now a critical factor in U.S.-Israeli relations. The international community will closely monitor how Israel responds to these demands and whether it takes significant steps to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza.
