Antony Blinken has conveyed to Israeli leaders that “much more needs to be done” to facilitate humanitarian aid for civilians in the besieged northern Gaza. A senior official from the Biden administration has indicated that there could be potential repercussions under U.S. law if adequate measures are not implemented.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Secretary of State engaged in a series of meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and high-ranking military officials in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
The meetings constitute a regional tour that Washington views as an opportunity to rejuvenate diplomatic efforts following the recent killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken‘s direct communication with Israeli officials occurs amid increasing scrutiny regarding the United States’ response to civilian casualties in Gaza. Critics argue that the U.S. has not effectively utilized its military support to Israel as a means to influence the situation.
Washington has repeatedly dismissed the criticism.
An official revealed that Blinken urged Israeli leaders to address allegations regarding the military’s execution of a so-called “generals’ plan” in northern Gaza. This strategy has been characterized by the mass forced displacement of civilians and a surrender-or-starve approach directed at those who remain in the area.
An official reported that Israeli representatives asserted the tactic was “absolutely not” part of their policy. In response, American officials emphasized the necessity for their Israeli counterparts to clarify this position publicly.
Israel has stated that its military operations in northern Gaza aim to eliminate a resurgence of Hamas.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent caution regarding humanitarian aid comes on the heels of a letter he co-signed with U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. This correspondence provided the Israeli government with a 30-day ultimatum to increase aid to the northern Gaza Strip or face potential reductions in military assistance.
A senior State Department official stated, “There was an extended conversation about this.”
They stated, “The measures implemented so far have proven inadequate, and we emphasized today that further action is necessary.”
“Initial progress has been observed.” An official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that Minister Gallant provided further details regarding the steps he is overseeing to address the issue. This topic was a central focus of discussions involving the prime minister, Minister Dermer, and Minister Gallant.
Aid organizations have raised alarms about the potential for starvation among civilians in northern Gaza due to Israel’s ongoing military siege.
Israel has stated that its military operations are aimed at Hamas fighters. Meanwhile, the United States has cautioned against any attempts to forcibly relocate residents to the southern region of Gaza, which is currently home to 1.7 million civilians living in extremely overcrowded conditions, facing a significant threat of disease.
When questioned about whether Blinken issued a verbal warning to the Israelis regarding potential repercussions for not complying with U.S. demands, the official stated that Blinken “made clear it has implications under our law and policy, [and] what those actions need to be.”
Following the meeting, a statement from Netanyahu’s office notably omitted any reference to humanitarian assistance. The statement highlighted the perceived “Iranian threat” to Israel, emphasizing the necessity for a united front between the U.S. and Israel in response.
The statement indicated that Blinken conveyed America’s profound shock regarding what Israel describes as an Iranian assassination attempt against Netanyahu, allegedly executed through a Hezbollah drone strike on his private residence over the weekend.
Blinken described the event as “an exceptionally extreme incident.”
When questioned about the accuracy of this account, the U.S. official stated that Blinken “expressed concern that it was a very serious incident…” “The terms’ exceptional and extreme’ are not ones he would usually employ.”
An official stated that the United States had not made any assessment regarding the allegations of Iranian involvement.
The differing interpretations of their dialogue arise as Israel stands ready to execute a retaliatory strike against Iran following the latter’s ballistic missile attack on Israel on October 1. The events unfolded in the wake of Israel’s recent assassinations of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
The United States is urging Israel to moderate the intensity of its response amid concerns about potential escalation in the region.
A US official reported that Blinken addressed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, framing it as part of a broader “diplomatic push” by the United States aimed at reducing tensions. However, no information was given regarding any advancements in these efforts.
