US Reportedly Warns It Could Cut Israeli Military Aid If Gaza Situation Doesn’t Improve

Topline

Two top Biden administration officials warned Israel over the weekend the U.S. could cut military aid if Israel does not take steps to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza in 30 days, multiple outlets reported Tuesday—marking one of the most serious U.S. rebukes of Israel.

Key Facts

The letter from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated that for Israel to continue getting U.S. military aid, it must allow at least 350 trucks a day to get into Gaza, institute additional humanitarian pauses, provide more security for humanitarian sites and more, the Associated Press reported.

National security spokesperson John Kirby confirmed to reporters a letter was sent and said it was “simply meant to reiterate the sense of urgency we feel and the seriousness with which we feel it, about the need for an increase, a dramatic increase in humanitarian assistance.”

It referenced a March 2024 agreement between Israel and the U.S. that Israel would “not arbitrarily deny, restrict, or otherwise impede, directly or indirectly, the transport or delivery” of U.S. humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and said Blinken and Austin “must continually assess” Israel’s adherence to the agreement, according to a copy of the letter shared by an Axios reporter.

The letter was sent by Blinken and Austin to Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and Minister of Defense Yoav Galant.

Crucial Quote

“We have been having a number of ongoing conversations with them about the very serious decrease in the level of humanitarian assistance,” state department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Tuesday when asked about the letter, NBC News reported. “Ultimately, we did not see our concerns sufficiently addressed, which is why the two secretaries sent the letter.”

Big Number

50%. That’s how much the amount of aid flowing into Gaza had decreased by since April—the last time U.S. officials warned Israeli officials that aid could be cut if more aid wasn’t allowed into Gaza—according to a photo of the letter.

Key Background

Gaza-based Hamas attacked Israel more than a year ago on Oct. 7, 2023, in what was the deadliest day in Israeli history, killing more than 1,100 people according to Israeli officials. Israel launched a massive invasion of the Gaza Strip afterward, and an estimated 42,000 people have been killed in Gaza according to the Gaza Health Ministry. As the war has progressed, Israel has faced heavy international pressure amid concerns Israel has severely limited food and other humanitarian aid, and hasn’t done enough to prevent civilian casualties in its attacks in Gaza. A U.S. State Department report earlier this year said Israel “has the knowledge, experience and tools to implement best practices for mitigating civilian harm,” but the high civilian death toll raised “substantial questions” about whether Israel was using the tools. The Israeli Defense Force has denied limiting aid and said it operates “only against terror targets.” Officials in the U.S. and other major allies have also repeatedly called for a cease-fire agreement. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Netanyahu last week and reiterated the U.S.’s “ironclad commitment to Israel’s security,” but also emphasized “the need to minimize harm to civilians” and the need to restore aid access to the north.

Tangent

In recent months, fighting has expanded outside of Gaza as Israel fights with Lebanon-based Hezbollah, another militant group aligned with Iran, leading to concerns it will continue to expand and grow to be a greater conflict with Iran.

Further Reading