JERUSALEM — According to reports from international humanitarian organizations, Israel has not met U.S. expectations regarding increased humanitarian access to the beleaguered Gaza Strip, where conditions are reportedly at their most critical since the onset of the conflict 13 months ago.
Last month, the Biden administration urged Israel to significantly enhance the delivery of food and essential supplies to Gaza, setting a deadline of 30 days that concluded on Tuesday. The U.S. warned that non-compliance could result in legal implications on military support as Israel continues operations against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
While Israel has announced some initiatives aimed at improving the situation, U.S. officials have suggested that these actions fall short of what is needed, although they have not indicated whether punitive measures will be taken.
Gideon Saar, the newly appointed foreign minister of Israel, appeared to play down the urgency of the deadline, expressing his optimism to reporters that “the issue would be resolved.” However, the potential re-election of Donald Trump, who previously exhibited strong support for Israel during his first term, may reduce the Biden administration’s leverage.
A report released Tuesday by a coalition of eight international aid organizations outlined that, out of 19 compliance measures specified by the U.S., Israel had not met 15 and only partly complied with four.
In an October 13 letter, key U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, urged Israel to permit at least 350 truckloads of goods to enter Gaza each day, to open a fifth crossing into the area, to allow individuals in coastal tent camps to relocate inland before the winter, and to ensure that aid organizations can access hard-hit regions in northern Gaza. The letter further requested that Israel halt any legislation that might obstruct the activities of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
Despite Israel’s efforts to increase aid flow, figures indicate that the support is still significantly below U.S. expectations. Though the fifth crossing was scheduled to open on Tuesday, many individuals remain overcrowded in tent camps, and aid access to northern Gaza is still limited. Moreover, Israel has continued to enact laws detrimental to UNRWA’s operations.
The report states, “Israel not only failed to meet the U.S. criteria indicating support for the humanitarian response, but also took actions that severely worsened conditions in northern Gaza.” It added that the situation is even more severe today compared to a month ago.
The report was co-authored by organizations such as Anera, Care, MedGlobal, Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam, Refugees International, and Save the Children.
Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, acknowledged some progress on Israel’s part but emphasized the need for further action to fulfill U.S. requirements. “What’s crucial is assessing how these steps translate into tangible results,” he stated.
Israel initiated a substantial military operation in northern Gaza last month, claiming that Hamas militants were regrouping in the area. The offensive has resulted in hundreds of deaths and left tens of thousands displaced. In the meantime, aid access to the region has been virtually nonexistent, with many civilians remaining despite evacuation orders.
Aid deliveries to Gaza experienced a drastic decline in October, with only 34,000 tons of food entering, which is less than half the total from the preceding month, according to Israeli sources. U.N. agencies have pointed out that the actual aid that gets through is often lower due to restrictions, ongoing violence, and chaos that hinder the collection and distribution of supplies within Gaza.
Official Israeli data shows that an average of 57 trucks entered Gaza daily in October, with this figure rising to 81 in the first week of November. However, U.N. estimates suggest a lower average of 37 trucks per day since the beginning of October.
COGAT, the Israeli military authority overseeing humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, attributed the drop in aid truck numbers in October to closed crossings during the Jewish high holidays and memorial observances following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas that escalated the conflict.
An anonymous Israeli official described October as a “very weak month” for aid deliveries but noted stabilization in November with approximately 50 trucks daily to northern Gaza and 150 to the rest of the region.
Aid distribution has faced challenges due to the inefficiency of U.N. and other organizations in managing the delivery of supplies into Gaza, resulting in bottlenecks and incidents of looting by Hamas and criminal gangs within the territory, with some estimates suggesting 40% of aid can be stolen on certain days.
Israel announced on Monday a minor extension of its coastal “humanitarian zone,” where numerous displaced Palestinians have sought shelter in extensive tent camps. They also declared new plans, such as restoring electricity to a desalination facility in Deir al Balah and making other deliveries to prepare for winter needs. Additionally, COGAT announced a temporary supply of food and water to Beit Hanoun, one of the most affected areas in northern Gaza.
The conflict commenced when militants from Hamas breached southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, primarily civilians, along with the abduction of about 250 people. Currently, it is estimated that around 100 of these hostages remain in Gaza, with a third presumed dead.
Israeli military actions have resulted in the deaths of over 43,000 Palestinians, with more than half identified as women and children, according to local health officials who do not disclose the number of militants among the deceased. Approximately 90% of the Gaza population has been displaced multiple times, with countless individuals crowded into inadequate tent camps with scarce access to food, water, and hygiene facilities.
As the conflict persists, the United States has expedited billions of dollars in military support to Israel and has consistently defended its position against international calls for a cease-fire, while urging for increased humanitarian access to Gaza. The humanitarian situation did improve temporarily under U.S. influence in the spring following tragic incidents involving aid workers, but the overall aid flow has waned again.
Trump has expressed intentions to end the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, although details remain unclear. Historically, he has been a strong ally of Israel, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed their communication since Trump’s re-election last week.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog is slated to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday, indicating ongoing diplomatic interactions between the nations.
Charles Blaha, a former U.S. State Department official responsible for ensuring compliance of military aid with legal standards, suggested that the Biden administration might find evidence of Israel violating U.S. law by obstructing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. He remarked, “It’s undeniable that Israel has done that,” adding that the administration may still prioritize national security interests to circumvent restrictions on military aid.
He concluded, reflecting on historical precedents, that there would be no restrictions and that such issues would likely just be deferred to the next administration, continuing a long-standing pattern.