The United States has called on Israel to provide concrete evidence that it does not have a policy of starvation in northern Gaza, as pressure mounts on the Netanyahu government to permit increased humanitarian aid into the region.
During a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stated that such a policy, if in place, would be "horrific and unacceptable" and could have legal implications under both international and US law. She emphasized the need for Israel's actions to align with its claim that essential supplies, including food, would not be cut off.
The warning came after the US privately sent a letter to Israel on Sunday, threatening to reduce arms supplies if Israel did not make significant changes to its aid policies within 30 days.
The US position reflects growing concerns that Israel may be using food deprivation as a tactic to force Palestinians to leave northern Gaza. It also underscores Vice President Kamala Harris's worry that the Biden administration could face political backlash if it is perceived as supporting a mass displacement of Palestinians.
Thomas-Greenfield also stressed that civilians should not be labeled as combatants for failing to leave northern Gaza as instructed. Meanwhile, Israel’s UN Ambassador, Danny Danon, denied any shortage of aid in Gaza, blaming Hamas for obstructing aid distribution and exploiting it for their operations.
UN data indicates that the flow of aid convoys into Gaza sharply declined in October, with Joyce Msuya, the acting head of UN humanitarian affairs, condemning Israel’s restrictions on aid access and describing the dire conditions faced by civilians in Gaza.
In response to international pressure, the Israeli military claims it has taken steps to allow aid into northern Gaza, despite ongoing conflict. However, US officials have demanded further assurances from Israel, including a commitment to let in at least 350 aid trucks per day and ensure that aid reaches civilians without being hindered.
The situation has led to significant tension between the US and Israel, with Washington also defending the UN's Palestinian relief agency (UNRWA), warning that restrictions on the organization could severely disrupt aid efforts at a critical time.
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