U.S. Gives Israel Failing Grade for Improving Gaza Aid So Far

WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration increases criticism of Israel for not doing enough to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza, as a 30-day deadline looms for Israeli officials to meet certain demands or risk possible restrictions on military assistance.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller on Monday gave Israel a failing grade in meeting conditions for improving aid deliveries to Gaza, set out in a letter last month to top officials. Israeli officials from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

He said there were still about nine days before the deadline expired, but the limited progress so far was insufficient.

To date, the situation has not significantly improved, Miller told reporters. We have seen an increase in some measures. But if you look at the recommendations stipulated in the letter, they have not been respected.

A day before the US election, the Biden administration called out its close ally, with support for Israel a key issue for many voters and the humanitarian crisis for the Palestinians also a factor for many in the race. Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris fought to attract Muslim and Arab American voters and Jewish voters in key states like Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Among other conditions, Austin and Blinkens' mid-October letter stipulated that Israel must allow the entry of at least 350 trucks per day carrying food and other supplies desperately needed by the besieged Palestinians. by more than a year of war between Israel and Hamas. At the end of October, an average of 71 trucks per day entered Gaza, according to the latest UN figures.

The results aren't good enough today, Miller said. They certainly don't have a pass. They did not implement all the measures we recommended. That said, we are not at the end of the 30 day period.

He did not answer when asked what the United States would do when the deadline arrives next week, only that we will follow the law.

Blinken spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday, urging additional steps to significantly increase and maintain humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, according to a State Department report on their call.

Similarly, in calls with Gallant, Austin stressed the importance of ensuring humanitarian aid can flow more quickly to Gaza, said Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary.

The Israeli military agency responsible for humanitarian aid in Gaza, known as COGAT, said it had evacuated 72 patients from hospitals in northern Gaza to other medical facilities on Monday and brought in medical supplies and fuel, food, water and blood units.

The head of UNICEF, the United Nations children's agency, said this weekend that the entire Palestinian population in northern Gaza, especially children, are at imminent risk of dying from disease , famine and ongoing bombings.

Miller also said the United States was studying the Israeli government's decision to end an agreement facilitating the work of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, which is the main provider of aid to Gaza.

This follows the passage of Israeli laws last week aimed at severing ties with UNRWA, a move that Blinken and Austin opposed in their letter.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday that it had notified the UN of the cancellation of an agreement dating from 1967 that facilitated the work of UNRWA. He said UNRWA is part of the problem in the Gaza Strip and not part of the solution.

Israel claims UNRWA was infiltrated by Hamas, which the agency denies and says it is taking steps to ensure its neutrality.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated that UNRWA is essential and there is no alternative to its work in the Palestinian territories, his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said.

At the same time, Miller said the United States was deeply concerned by the recent escalation of attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, including the burning of several cars overnight a few miles from the Palestinian Authority headquarters. Palestinian Authority and by attacks against Palestinians. Palestinians harvesting olives, their livestock and other goods.

These violent actions cause intense human suffering to Palestinians and threaten Israel's security, Miller said. It is essential that the Israeli government deters extremist settler violence and takes steps to protect all communities from harm, in accordance with its international obligations.

He noted that the United States has imposed sanctions since the beginning of the year against Israeli groups and individuals involved in violence against Palestinian civilians and warned of more sanctions to come.

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AP reporters Ellen Knickmeyer and Lolita C. Baldor in Washington and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.

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