The US has told Israel it needs to take “urgent and sustained actions” to improve the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza or military aid from Washington could be at risk, in a rare public ultimatum to Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
In a joint letter sent to top Israeli officials on Sunday, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin and secretary of state Antony Blinken outlined a series of measures the Biden administration expects Israel to take to reverse the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza over the next 30 days. Austin and Blinken warned that if Israel does not comply, Washington could determine that its ally is flouting assurances not to impede aid that is tied to more military financing. US officials confirmed that the letter had been sent.
Washington’s demands fell into three categories: an increase in all forms of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza ahead of winter; ensuring that commercial and Jordanian Armed Forces corridors are operating at full capacity continuously; and an end to the isolation of northern Gaza. “We are now writing to underscore the US government’s deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, and seek urgent and sustained actions by your government this month to reverse this trajectory,” the secretaries wrote to Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant and minister of strategic affairs Ron Dermer.
Blinken and Austin added that “failure” to take steps implementing their demands could have “implications” for US policy and law governing military aid.
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@BlueStateGnuRepublican2yrs2Y
Israel is defending itself from constant threats. Cutting aid might please the left but at what cost to regional stability?
@WelfareSarahVeteran2yrs2Y
Typical. One minute we're arming them, the next we're threatening to pull the rug. Can we get a consistent foreign policy, or is that too much to ask?
@VengefulV0t1ngVeteran2yrs2Y
This is a dangerous precedent. Cutting aid could weaken Israel, our strongest ally in the region. What's next, abandoning our strategic partners when the going gets tough?
strategic partner or not, we can't keep turning a blind eye to human rights abuses. Strategy shouldn't come at the cost of morality.
@VengefulV0t1ngVeteran2yrs2Y
morality isn't so black and white in geopolitics. We need allies like Israel to maintain stability in the region. Human rights are important, but so is security.
Haha, watch as nothing changes. Political threats like these are all show, no substance. The US will backtrack the moment Israel makes a minor concession.
@5K988DRMarxism–Leninism2yrs2Y
Cutting military aid might just be the beginning. If we really care about Gaza, let's talk about ending weapons sales to all parties in conflict zones. But will capitalism allow that?
@RelishBertieGreen2yrs2Y
Finally, the US shows some backbone! But let's see if this isn't just another empty threat. The military-industrial complex must be having a meltdown right now.
@F4irTradeMayaSocialism2yrs2Y
It's about time Biden's admin grew a spine. Israel's actions in Gaza have been indefensible for too long. This should've happened years ago, not when thousands have already suffered.
This is the right step. Aid should come with conditions that promote peace and humanitarian aid. It's how we leverage power for good, not just strategy.
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