America tells Israel it could withhold military support unless more is done to get aid to Gaza

America tells Israel it could withhold military support unless more is done to get aid to Gaza

The US has told Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza or risk losing some American military aid.

In a letter to their Israeli counterparts, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said: “We are writing now to underscore the U.S. government's deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, and seek urgent and sustained actions by your government this month to reverse this trajectory”.

The letter outlined specific steps Israel must take within 30 days, including enabling a minimum of 350 trucks to enter Gaza per day, instituting pauses in fighting to allow aid delivery and rescinding evacuation orders to Palestinian civilians when there is no operational need.

Gaza has been subject to a military bombardment by Israel for the past year after the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023 (Alamy/PA) (PA)
Gaza has been subject to a military bombardment by Israel for the past year after the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023 (Alamy/PA) (PA)

"Failure to demonstrate a sustained commitment to implementing and maintaining these measures may have implications for U.S. policy ... and relevant U.S. law," the letter said.

It cited Section 620i of the Foreign Assistance Act, which prohibits military aid to countries that impede delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance.

The State Department and Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the letter. Representatives for Israel's government also could not be immediately reached for comment.

Washington has frequently pressed Israel to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza since the war with Hamas began with the Palestinian militant group's attacks on southern Israel just over a year ago, but the Biden administration has not imposed restrictions on the military aid the United States sends to Israel.

The reports come as Israeli forces expand operations into northern Gaza amid ongoing concerns about access to humanitarian aid throughout the enclave and civilians' access to food, water and medicine.