The US has requested on-the-ground evidence to confirm that Israel is not implementing a starvation policy in northern Gaza, as it increases pressure on the Netanyahu government to permit more aid into the region. During a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated that such a policy “would not just be horrific and unacceptable” but would also have “implications under international and US law.” She noted that the Israeli government has claimed this is not their policy and emphasized that the US would monitor whether Israel’s actions aligned with this assertion.
Thomas-Greenfield’s warning followed a US government letter sent to Israel over the weekend, indicating that arms supplies could be partially cut off unless there was a significant change in the provision of aid within 30 days. The heightened pressure responds to concerns that Israel might be attempting to drive Palestinians out of northern Gaza via starvation, as well as to a more assertive approach being adopted by US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is worried about the political repercussions of a mass exodus.
The ambassador also stressed that Israel must not label civilians as combatants for failing to follow evacuation orders from northern Gaza. Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, countered this by stating that Israel is committed to ensuring that aid reaches those in need and blamed Hamas for the aid shortages, claiming they misuse humanitarian supplies for their operations.
UN statistics highlighted a significant decrease in the number of aid convoys entering Gaza in October, and Joyce Msuya, acting head of UN humanitarian affairs, criticized Israel for obstructing food convoys, describing the humanitarian access as “nearly nonexistent” amidst dire conditions. She reported that many Palestinians had suffered serious injuries or fatalities in recent days and urged the international community to take action against the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Washington’s recent demands include the entry of at least 350 aid trucks into Gaza daily through all major crossings controlled by the IDF, as well as sufficient pauses in fighting to facilitate the delivery of aid. A letter to Israel’s defense and strategic affairs ministers, signed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, noted a decline in aid entering Gaza and stressed the need for an increase.
The Israeli military’s body overseeing aid distribution announced that a limited number of trucks had entered northern Gaza, but noted that humanitarian aid operations were constrained by ongoing military planning. The US government also defended the UN relief agency Unrwa, cautioning that proposed Israeli restrictions would severely impact humanitarian efforts in Gaza and the broader region.
Meanwhile, the US has responded to conflicts in Lebanon and the ongoing situation with Iran. While supporting a ceasefire in Lebanon, it seems to have approved Israeli military actions following the death of a Hezbollah leader. The US is also backing European allies in opposing any Israeli withdrawal of international peacekeeping forces in the region. To counter potential Iranian threats, the US aims to bolster Israel’s defense capabilities with an air defense system intended to deter further regional escalations.
