US seeks ‘constructive response’ after warning Israel of halt in arms flow if Gaza aid situation not improved

WASHINGTON (AA) – The White House said Wednesday that it wants to see Israel respond constructively to a letter sent by two US officials demanding that Israel alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza or risk a potential American arms embargo.

Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre declined to say whether the US would actually impose the penalty on Israel if it does not comply, saying: “I’m not going to get into hypotheticals from here.” But she pointed to another letter in April sent seeking improvements to the flow of aid in Gaza that produced what she described as “constructive” results.

“This is connected to a decrease of humanitarian aid that is very, very much needed in Gaza, as you all know. And so that’s what that this is. We’ve done this before. It’s worked. And so we’re doing this again, and so we want to see a constructive response,” said Jean-Pierre.

The letter, sent jointly by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to their Israeli counterparts, gives Israel 30 days to meet the demands, warning of consequences under US law if they are not met.

The letter, obtained by multiple news outlets, detailed multiple issues that could imperil the further provision of assistance.

“We are now writing to underscore the U.S. government’s deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, and seek urgent and sustained actions by your government this month to reverse this trajectory,” Austin and Blinken wrote, according to a purported copy of the letter posted on social media by an Axios reporter.

Israel has dramatically increased its attacks on northern Gaza in recent days, killing scores of Palestinian.