As the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the United States is intensifying its criticism of Israel for not doing enough to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in the coastal enclave. With a 30-day deadline set by the US State Department looming, the threat of potential sanctions against Israel has become increasingly real.
US Gives Israel Failing Grade on Gaza Conditions
In a press briefing on Monday, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed deep concern over Israel’s lack of progress in meeting the conditions laid out by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a letter to senior Israeli officials last month. Miller stated that despite having roughly nine days remaining until the deadline expires, Israel’s efforts thus far have been insufficient.
“As of today, the situation has not significantly turned around,” Miller told reporters, giving Israel a “fail” grade in terms of meeting the US requirements.
The stern warning from Washington comes as Israel formally notified the United Nations of its intention to ban the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA. This move has raised alarm among Israel’s allies and aid workers, who caution that it will only serve to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East.
Deadly Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza and Lebanon
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 16 Palestinians in Gaza on Monday, with residents fearing that new air and ground attacks were aimed at emptying areas of civilians in the territory’s north. The strikes are part of Israel’s ongoing military campaign against what it calls terrorist infrastructure in the region.
Israel also claims to have killed two senior Hezbollah commanders in southern Lebanon in separate strikes, as it continues its attacks on the Iran-backed militant group. Lebanese authorities have put the death toll from Israeli airstrikes in the country at over 2,800.
Arson Attack in the West Bank
In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinian authorities reported that a massacre was narrowly avoided after an arson attack attributed to Israeli settlers targeted a building and about 20 cars in Al-Bireh, near Ramallah. Witnesses said ten people poured liquid on the cars to torch them. Israeli security forces say they are investigating the incident.
Polio Vaccination Campaign in Gaza
Amid the ongoing violence, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 94,431 children under the age of 10 received a polio vaccine over the weekend, representing 79% of the target population in northern Gaza. At least 90% vaccination coverage is needed to stop the spread of the virus.
Leaked Documents May Have Derailed Peace Talks
In a related development, an Israeli court found that leaks from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office may have compromised a peace deal. The court said that a breakdown in peace negotiations may have been caused by leaked and falsified documents involving a close aide to the prime minister. The leaking of the documents to Britain’s Jewish Chronicle and Germany’s tabloid Bild came at a crucial time for hostage negotiations.
As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, the international community is watching closely to see if Israel will take meaningful steps to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and prevent further violence. With the US deadline approaching and the threat of sanctions looming, the pressure on Israel to act is mounting.
