The recent weeks of stepped-up Israeli attacks and ground operations in northern Gaza have further worsened the humanitarian situation for many Palestinians.
This weekend stated United Nations World Food Programme that no aid trucks have been able to reach northern Gaza since October 1, and the situation is described as catastrophic.
Now the US government is demanding that Israel act.
In a letter, Foreign Minister Antony Blinken and Defense Minister Lloyd Austin write that the amount of humanitarian aid reaching the Gazans in September was the lowest in a month since the war broke out.
“We want to see changes”
If the humanitarian situation does not improve within 30 days, the military support from the United States risks being affected. In what way is not specified in the letter, the contents of which were leaked on Tuesday.
According to Matthew Miller, spokesperson at the US State Department, humanitarian aid has been at too low a level over time.
– We made it clear that there is now a short window where we want to see changes because the humanitarian situation is so difficult, says Matthew Miller at a press conference.
350 trucks a day
As demands, the US government lists several points that Israel needs to address.
Among other things, the US demands that at least 350 aid trucks be allowed into Gaza daily, that aid organizations be given continuous access to northern Gaza and the introduction of humanitarian pauses throughout Gaza during the coming winter months.
According to John Kirby, a spokesman for the US National Security Council, the demand was not meant to be seen as a threat.
– The letter was simply meant to reiterate the sense of urgency and seriousness we feel that humanitarian aid must increase dramatically, says John Kirby at a press conference.