Israel’s response to the Biden administration’s 30-day ultimatum to enhance humanitarian assistance to Gaza has so far been lackluster, according to an analysis of U.N. and Israeli data by The Associated Press.
With a critical halfway point deadline looming in mid-November—following the U.S. election—President Joe Biden faces a pivotal moment in addressing the humanitarian crisis while balancing support for a key ally.
In an October 13 letter, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called for substantial improvements in Gaza’s dire humanitarian situation, specifically demanding that Israel allow a minimum of 350 trucks per day to deliver essential supplies.
Yet, by the end of October, an average of only 71 trucks were entering Gaza, far below the target.
Blinken emphasized that while there has been some progress, it remains insufficient.
Displaced Palestinian children queue for food in a camp in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Oct. 18, 2024. U.N. and Israeli data reveals that Israel’s response to the Biden administration’s demand for Israel to increase the level of humanitarian assistance allowed into Gaza has been muted.
Abdel Kareem Hana/AP
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“It’s vital that what they bring can get distributed effectively inside of Gaza,” he said, underlining the importance of not just the quantity of aid, but its accessibility to those in need.
This letter marked one of the administration’s firmest positions amid a year filled with appeals to Israel for greater protection of Palestinian civilians during its ongoing conflict with Hamas.
The political stakes are high; support for Israel remains a contentious issue among Republican voters and some Democrats.
The humanitarian crisis in northern Gaza has been exacerbated by a sustained Israeli military campaign that has obstructed aid delivery since mid-October.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaking during an event on U.S. Travel and Tourism, Oct. 29, 2024 at the State Department in Washington. Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin demanded in a letter improvements to the deteriorating humanitarian condition in Gaza.
Kevin Wolf/AP
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Reports suggest that the region is on the brink of famine, with international monitors raising alarms over the impending humanitarian disaster.
Compounding these concerns, Israeli lawmakers recently voted to effectively dismantle the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), a move criticized by governments and humanitarian organizations worldwide as a severe blow to aid efforts.
Despite U.S. warnings, skepticism remains about Israel’s willingness to enhance humanitarian assistance.
Before the conflict escalated, an average of 500 trucks were delivering aid daily to Gaza, a figure that relief organizations assert is essential for the region’s 2.3 million inhabitants, many of whom have been displaced multiple times.
Since the outbreak of hostilities, Israel has not come close to that average, with the daily aid figures peaking at 225 trucks in April before plummeting dramatically.
Following the Biden administration’s letter, the number of aid trucks entering Gaza fell to just 13 per day at the beginning of October.
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Although that number increased to 71 by the end of the month, it remains insufficient to meet the urgent needs of the population.
Once supplies arrive in Gaza, distribution remains a significant hurdle due to various obstacles, including slow processing by Israeli authorities and restrictions on shipments.
COGAT, the Israeli military body overseeing humanitarian aid, reported a steep decline in aid deliveries, with October’s totals dropping to just 26,399 tons from 87,446 tons in September.
The Biden administration’s requests for a senior-level communication channel to address concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza remain unfulfilled, even as Israel continues its military operations.
As the largest provider of military aid to Israel—contributing nearly $18 billion during the ongoing war—the U.S. finds itself in a challenging position.
The administration previously paused a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel over concerns about civilian safety and has conducted reviews indicating that Israel’s military actions could violate international humanitarian law.
As the situation in Gaza deteriorates, the Biden administration’s approach in the coming weeks will be crucial not only for humanitarian efforts but also for its broader geopolitical standing.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.
