The Biden administration has warned Israel that if the humanitarian situation in Gaza does not improve within 30 days, the U.S. may restrict military assistance to Israel. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sent a letter to Israeli officials indicating that the U.S. must assess under its own law whether Israel is impeding the transport of U.S. humanitarian aid to Gaza. If it is found to be doing so, the U.S. could halt additional Foreign Military Financing. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller confirmed the existence of the letter but did not specify the consequences Israel would face if the aid flow does not improve. This warning comes as the situation in Gaza worsens, with numerous casualties reported recently.
While the U.S. continues to provide help to Israel, pro-Palestinian organizations and progressive members of the Democratic Party have been calling on the Biden administration to halt arms sales to Israel. The call for action has been amplified by global leaders as well, with organizations like Oxfam and Medical Aid for Palestinians urging an end to Israel’s assault on Gaza. The letter from the Biden administration is seen as a response to pressure from the public, including a majority of American Jews, who support using U.S. military funding as leverage to push for a ceasefire in the region. The administration’s decision to potentially restrict military assistance to Israel reflects a growing urgency to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the escalating violence in the region.
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