The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is now at alarming levels, prompting the United States to take decisive action aimed at increasing aid deliveries to the region. On October 13, the Biden administration issued Israel a 30-day ultimatum to improve humanitarian assistance to Gaza or risk military aid cuts. This move came as reports suggested aid shipments had reached their lowest levels since the onset of conflict with Hamas.
Despite the looming deadline, the situation on the ground remained dire, with aid deliveries significantly lower than the average needed to support the population affected by the war. The conditions were particularly urgent as the United Nations warned of imminent famine, citing catastrophic shortages of food and medical supplies, primarily due to the military actions taken by Israel against Hamas since October 2023.
Israel had initially enacted restrictions on the entry of commercial goods, contending it was necessary to prevent Hamas from profiting off such trade. This decision drastically reduced the volume of humanitarian aid reaching the needy. For example, before the latest military offensives, civilians were starting to see basic goods return to the market, albeit at inflated prices.
According to data from the Israeli military, humanitarian goods entering the Gaza Strip plummeted from 87,000 metric tons in September to just 52,000 metric tons between October 1 and November 10. Deliveries, particularly food, saw declines as significant as 60%, and aid workers faced increased violence and intimidation, which impeded their operations.
On the American side, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his visits and public statements, reiterated the need for Israel to facilitate aid deliveries, yet the response from the Israeli government was less than promising. After the 30-day period lapsed, rather than penalizing Israel for inadequate compliance with the aid notices, U.S. officials claimed satisfactory progress had been made, noting the opening of two new crossing points and some waiving of customs restrictions. This erratic adherence left humanitarian organizations questioning the sincerity of these actions.
Vedant Patel, the State Department spokesperson, assured reporters of the U.S. administration's decision to maintain arms transfers because, according to them, Israel had not violated U.S. law with its aid arrangements. This, observers argue, highlights the disconnect between political rhetoric and the reality on the ground, as aid agencies reported worsening conditions and declining levels of humanitarian support.
During this turbulent period, Israeli military actions persisted, with bombardments and airstrikes causing widespread devastation. For example, heavy military actions on the ground have led to thousands of Palestinian casualties, particularly impacting women and children. To date, the conflict has claimed over 43,000 lives, according to local health officials.
Recently, leading humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations, have fiercely criticized the situation. They have called for immediate actions stating, "No forcible displacement nor policy of starvation" should be tolerated under any circumstances. While Israel claims it has made provisions for aid, many humanitarian groups assert these efforts have not been enough to meet the desperate needs of the people trapped within Gaza.
Beyond the humanitarian crisis, there's also substantial concern about the broader geopolitical ramifications of the conflict and the U.S.'s unconditional support for Israel. Many civil rights groups and activists have voiced alarm, asserting the American government needs to hold Israel accountable for the humanitarian violations occurring amid the continued military actions against Hamas.
Efforts to bring long-lasting peace have faltered, with calls voiced for temporary ceasefires to allow aid delivery and to provide respite for civilians stuck amid the fighting. The situation remains fluid, and with international attention focused on Gaza, the United States continues to navigate its relationships with both Israel and Palestinian entities.
Meanwhile, discussions surrounding humanitarian support are taking place at high levels, adding pressure on Israel to resume necessary aid flows and lift restrictions affecting humanitarian operations. The world's eyes are now on whether the Biden administration's commitments will translate to real change on the ground.
