Blinken urges Israel to increase aid to Gaza as deadline nears

WASHINGTON (AA) – Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel on Monday to increase and sustain humanitarian aid across Gaza, with a 30-day period set in an Oct. 13 letter calling for improvements in humanitarian access nearing its end.

In a phone call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Blinken “reviewed actions Israel has taken to date and urged further actions to substantially increase and sustain humanitarian aid – including food, medicine and other essential supplies – to civilians across all of Gaza,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Blinken emphasized the importance of “ending the war in Gaza and bringing all of the hostages home, as well as charting a path forward in the post-conflict period that allows the Palestinian population in Gaza to rebuild their lives and advances governance, security and reconstruction,” he added.

The two also discussed efforts for a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon, with Blinken reaffirming the US’s “ironclad” commitment to Israel’s security, Miller said

The call followed Miller’s comments at a press briefing on Monday where he said that the humanitarian situation in northern Gaza “has not significantly turned around” and the recommendations in the letter remain unmet.

Asked what consequences Israel might face if it does not meet the 30-day requirements, Miller declined to speculate, saying: “I do not know what the factual situation that we will face in that period will be.”

“We will continue to follow the law,” he added.

In the Oct. 13 letter, the US urged Israel to improve Gaza’s humanitarian conditions within 30 days or face consequences. The letter, signed by Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, conveyed “deep concern” over Gaza’s deteriorating situation and urged immediate, sustained action by Israel to address it.

The officials said their departments must under US law “continually assess your government’s adherence to” Israel’s promises not to obstruct US and US-supported international aid.

Under the US Foreign Assistance Act, military aid must be restricted if a country obstructs the entry of US humanitarian aid or violates international law unless national security exemptions apply.