US Warns It May Stop Arms Shipments to Israel
The US has stated that Israel must implement several measures to guarantee humanitarian aid to Gaza or risk reductions in military assistance. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Washington has conveyed to Israel that humanitarian aid must reach Gaza within 30 days; otherwise, some military shipments could face suspension.
The Pentagon and the State Department have informed Israel that unless there is an improvement in the humanitarian conditions in Gaza within the stipulated time frame, the United States may need to halt additional military assistance. Since the conflict between Hamas and Israel began in October 2023, the U.S. has provided nearly $18 billion in weapons, ammunition, and other forms of support to Israel, with this aid contingent on adherence to international law and humanitarian standards.
In a letter sent on Monday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken reached out to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, highlighting the significant drop in humanitarian aid being sent to Gaza. They urged the implementation of "concrete measures" to remedy the situation within 30 days.
“Failure to demonstrate a sustained commitment to implementing and maintaining these measures may have implications for US policy under NSM-20 and relevant US law,” they stated. NSM-20, a memorandum from President Joe Biden issued in February 2023, mandates that recipients of American arms offer “credible and reliable written assurances” regarding their commitment to international law.
The private correspondence “made clear our concerns about the levels of humanitarian assistance that have been making it into Gaza,” said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller during a media briefing on Tuesday. He noted that a similar letter had been sent in April. While there was a temporary improvement in aid deliveries, they have since “fallen by over 50%,” with September registering “the lowest” assistance levels in the past year, officials reported.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby remarked that the letter was triggered by “a marked decrease in humanitarian assistance, which has us concerned.” Although Kirby refrained from commenting directly on the potential military aid limitations, Miller emphasized NSM-20's humanitarian requirements.
“There are provisions under US law that require us to make certain certifications. And to make those certifications, we have to see that Israel is not arbitrarily denying humanitarian assistance making it into Gaza,” Miller explained.
Israeli media have indicated that the restrictions under NSM-20 do not pertain to “defensive” military equipment, such as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, which was recently sent to Israel to counter another missile threat from Iran.
Israeli defense sources shared with the Jerusalem Post that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might have to consider U.S. demands, potentially at the expense of a reported strategy to encircle Hamas in northern Gaza. Additionally, Washington has urged Israel to de-escalate its military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon in favor of diplomatic solutions.
The 30-day ultimatum positions the decision regarding potential military aid withholding well beyond the forthcoming U.S. presidential election. In this context, incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris faces challenges in galvanizing Palestinian and Arab-American voters, partly due to the current administration's backing of Israel.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
The Pentagon and the State Department have informed Israel that unless there is an improvement in the humanitarian conditions in Gaza within the stipulated time frame, the United States may need to halt additional military assistance. Since the conflict between Hamas and Israel began in October 2023, the U.S. has provided nearly $18 billion in weapons, ammunition, and other forms of support to Israel, with this aid contingent on adherence to international law and humanitarian standards.
In a letter sent on Monday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken reached out to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, highlighting the significant drop in humanitarian aid being sent to Gaza. They urged the implementation of "concrete measures" to remedy the situation within 30 days.
“Failure to demonstrate a sustained commitment to implementing and maintaining these measures may have implications for US policy under NSM-20 and relevant US law,” they stated. NSM-20, a memorandum from President Joe Biden issued in February 2023, mandates that recipients of American arms offer “credible and reliable written assurances” regarding their commitment to international law.
The private correspondence “made clear our concerns about the levels of humanitarian assistance that have been making it into Gaza,” said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller during a media briefing on Tuesday. He noted that a similar letter had been sent in April. While there was a temporary improvement in aid deliveries, they have since “fallen by over 50%,” with September registering “the lowest” assistance levels in the past year, officials reported.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby remarked that the letter was triggered by “a marked decrease in humanitarian assistance, which has us concerned.” Although Kirby refrained from commenting directly on the potential military aid limitations, Miller emphasized NSM-20's humanitarian requirements.
“There are provisions under US law that require us to make certain certifications. And to make those certifications, we have to see that Israel is not arbitrarily denying humanitarian assistance making it into Gaza,” Miller explained.
Israeli media have indicated that the restrictions under NSM-20 do not pertain to “defensive” military equipment, such as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, which was recently sent to Israel to counter another missile threat from Iran.
Israeli defense sources shared with the Jerusalem Post that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might have to consider U.S. demands, potentially at the expense of a reported strategy to encircle Hamas in northern Gaza. Additionally, Washington has urged Israel to de-escalate its military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon in favor of diplomatic solutions.
The 30-day ultimatum positions the decision regarding potential military aid withholding well beyond the forthcoming U.S. presidential election. In this context, incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris faces challenges in galvanizing Palestinian and Arab-American voters, partly due to the current administration's backing of Israel.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
