The United States has announced on Tuesday, that Israel has not violated American laws related to humanitarian aid, after a 30-day deadline passed for Israel to expand access to aid supplies in Gaza or face potential reductions in U.S. military support.
While the Biden administration acknowledged some steps Israel has taken to allow more humanitarian supplies into Gaza, it urged further action to address worsening conditions, particularly in the northern region.
State Department spokesman Vedant Patel cited the opening of a new land crossing and partial resumption of deliveries in northern Gaza.
However, he did not confirm if aid had reached the heavily affected Jabalia refugee camp. Although the U.S. found that Israel had made “incremental progress,” United Nations officials and humanitarian groups highlighted a growing crisis as aid levels dropped to the lowest in a year.
A recent UN-backed report warned of an imminent risk of famine in northern Gaza, where almost no aid has been allowed in over the past month. Joyce Msuya, the United Nations’ acting under secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, described conditions as dire, saying Israel’s blockade of northern Gaza could constitute international crimes. Speaking to the UN Security Council, Msuya reported that Israeli forces were blocking assistance to North Gaza, where approximately 75,000 civilians remain with dwindling food, water, and medical supplies.
Her remarks followed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s letter to Israel last month, pressing for daily aid convoys into Gaza. The deadline for Israel to demonstrate compliance with the U.S. request ended Tuesday, without any significant change in aid access.
In fact, a coalition of eight humanitarian organizations reported deteriorating conditions since Blinken’s appeal. Yet, Washington indicated it would continue military support for Israel, citing some “positive” developments in aid distribution.
Despite Israel’s claims that it has increased aid deliveries, Msuya said that aid distribution remains minimal and cited forced displacement in northern areas like Beit Hanoun, where civilians were reportedly relocated after brief access to food and water.
Ilze Kehris, the UN’s assistant secretary-general for human rights, suggested Israel’s actions in Gaza may be systematically targeting civilians, a point underscored by extensive use of American-supplied weapons in Israeli military operations.
The escalation follows Hamas’s attack in southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and hundreds taken hostage. In response, Israel launched an intensive military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, which the Hamas-run health ministry reports has led to over 43,000 Palestinian deaths.
Humanitarian leaders urge the U.S. to leverage its influence over Israel to prioritize civilian protections, as aid groups continue to report mounting casualties, mass displacement, and insufficient relief access in Gaza’s besieged north.
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