The Biden administration has escalated its criticism regarding Israel’s efforts to alleviate humanitarian conditions in Gaza as a crucial 30-day deadline approaches. Israeli authorities are obligated to meet specific criteria or they may face potential limitations on military aid.
Additionally, the administration denounced recent violent actions perpetrated against Palestinians in the West Bank by radical Jewish settlers, emphasizing the necessity for accountability for those involved. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller conveyed on Monday that Israel’s performance regarding humanitarian aid to Gaza has been inadequate, assigning them a “fail” for not meeting expectations outlined in a letter sent by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last month.
Despite having around nine days left until the deadline, Miller noted that the slow pace of improvement in aid access has been disappointing. “As of today, the situation has not significantly turned around,” he stated, highlighting a modest increase in certain areas but reiterating that prescribed conditions remain unmet.
The timing of these remarks is significant, coming just a day before upcoming elections where support for Israel is a pivotal topic among voters, particularly concerning humanitarian issues facing Palestinians. Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are actively vying for the support of both Muslim and Arab American voters, as well as the Jewish community in crucial states like Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Within the essential criteria outlined in the October letter, Israel is tasked with allowing a minimum of 350 trucks daily to deliver vital food and supplies to Palestinians amid ongoing conflict with Hamas. However, recent U.N. figures indicate that only an average of 71 trucks per day have been reaching Gaza by the end of October.
“The results are not good enough today,” Miller asserted. “They certainly do not have a pass…They have failed to implement all the things that we recommended. Now, that said, we are not at the end of the 30-day period.” He refrained from specifying potential actions the U.S. might undertake when the deadline arrives, only indicating that they would adhere to legal protocols.
Amid these discussions, Defense Secretary Austin has underscored the importance of ensuring expedited humanitarian aid into Gaza during conversations with his Israeli counterpart, General Pat Ryder, according to Pentagon representatives.
The head of UNICEF recently warned that the entire population in northern Gaza, particularly children, is at severe risk of death due to disease, famine, and persistent airstrikes. Furthermore, Miller stated that the U.S. is examining Israel’s decision to terminate an agreement that facilitated the work of UNRWA, a key agency providing aid in Gaza. This decision emerged following Israeli legislative actions aimed at severing ties with UNRWA, which both Blinken and Austin expressed opposition to in their communication.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed on Monday that it has notified the U.N. regarding the termination of an agreement established in 1967, arguing that UNRWA contributes to the ongoing problems in Gaza. Israel claims that Hamas has infiltrated UNRWA, an allegation the agency denies, emphasizing its commitment to neutrality.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reaffirmed the necessity of UNRWA’s operations in Palestinian territories, asserting that there is no substitute for its efforts. Concurrently, Miller expressed deep concern over a recent surge in violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Incidents include cars being set ablaze near the Palestinian Authority’s headquarters and assaults on Palestinians during olive harvests and other activities.
Miller condemned these violent actions, highlighting their detrimental impact on Palestinian lives and the threats they pose to Israel’s security. He emphasized the importance of the Israeli government taking steps to deter these aggressive actions by extremist settlers and ensuring the safety of all communities, in line with international obligations. Miller also noted that the U.S. has implemented sanctions against certain Israeli individuals and organizations involved in actions against Palestinian civilians since the beginning of the year, hinting at the possibility of further actions.
