The United States has firmly defended Israel’s handling of humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza, contradicting the United Nations’ assessment of the situation. The State Department, in a statement on Tuesday, clarified that Israel has not violated US laws regarding the amount of aid entering the war-torn territory and met a deadline set by the US to increase shipments.
Vedant Patel, the State Department spokesperson, emphasized that the US has not found any evidence to support claims of violation of US law. He stated, “We have not made an assessment that they are in violation of US law.”
However, the UN has expressed serious concerns regarding the insufficient flow of aid to Gaza. The organization reported that the amount of aid reaching Gaza this year is at its lowest level, raising fears of a potential famine in the northern part of the territory, which has received no aid in the past month.
The discrepancy between the US and UN assessments stems from a letter sent last month by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to Israel. The letter expressed alarm over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and set a deadline of November 13 for Israel to comply with US law regarding humanitarian assistance. Ron Dermer, a top advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, briefed Blinken on Israel’s efforts during a meeting in Washington on Monday.
While the State Department acknowledges that the overall humanitarian situation in Gaza is “unsatisfactory,” it maintains that Israel is taking “steps in the right direction.”
“It’s not about whether we find something satisfactory or not; it’s what are the actions that we’re seeing,” Patel stressed, emphasizing the US focus on tangible actions rather than subjective assessments.
Israel, on the other hand, has maintained that it has significantly increased aid shipments to Gaza and accused stakeholders of not distributing the aid effectively. To further facilitate aid delivery, the Israeli military body overseeing humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip, COGAT, announced the opening of a new crossing called Kissufim, leading to the south.
This ongoing dispute between the US and the UN highlights the complex and sensitive situation in Gaza, where humanitarian needs remain immense amidst ongoing political and military tensions. The international community’s response to this crisis is crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of the Palestinian population in Gaza.
