US Warns of Potential Cuts to Arms Deliveries to Israel
According to the U.S., Israel must implement several measures to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza, or it risks experiencing reductions in military assistance. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Humanitarian aid must reach Gaza within 30 days, according to Washington, or the U.S. may pause military shipments.
The Pentagon and the State Department have informed Israel that unless the humanitarian conditions in Gaza improve within the next 30 days, the U.S. could be compelled to stop further military aid deliveries.
Since the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel in October 2023, the U.S. has provided nearly $18 billion in weapons, ammunition, and other assistance to Israel. This aid is contingent on adherence to international law and humanitarian principles, officials noted.
On Monday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a letter to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, highlighting the drastic drop in humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza and urging them to take “concrete measures” within 30 days to rectify the situation.
“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,” Blinken and Austin wrote. NSM-20 is a memorandum issued by President Joe Biden in February 2023, which stipulates that recipients of U.S. weapons must offer “credible and reliable written assurances” of their compliance with international law.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized to reporters that the private correspondence expressed concerns regarding the reduced levels of humanitarian assistance reaching Gaza. He noted that a similar letter had been sent in April, and while aid deliveries had improved temporarily, they have since “fallen by over 50%,” with September seeing the lowest volume of aid in the past year.
John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, indicated that the letter was prompted by “a marked decrease in humanitarian assistance, which has us concerned.” While he did not specifically address the potential limitations on military aid, Miller pointed out the importance of the NSM-20 guidelines, which outline the necessary humanitarian standards.
“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 said.
Reports from Israeli media suggest that the restrictions outlined in NSM-20 do not apply to "defensive" equipment, such as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, which has recently been provided to Israel to counter potential Iranian missile attacks.
Israeli defense sources indicated to the Jerusalem Post that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may need to acquiesce to U.S. demands, even if it means reconsidering his reported intention to impose a blockade on Hamas in northern Gaza.
Washington has also urged West Jerusalem to refrain from escalating military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon, advocating instead for diplomatic solutions.
The 30-day timeframe extends the decision regarding military aid to Israel beyond the upcoming U.S. presidential election, during which incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris has faced challenges in securing support from Palestinian and Arab-American voters, partially due to the administration’s backing of Israel.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
The Pentagon and the State Department have informed Israel that unless the humanitarian conditions in Gaza improve within the next 30 days, the U.S. could be compelled to stop further military aid deliveries.
Since the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel in October 2023, the U.S. has provided nearly $18 billion in weapons, ammunition, and other assistance to Israel. This aid is contingent on adherence to international law and humanitarian principles, officials noted.
On Monday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a letter to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, highlighting the drastic drop in humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza and urging them to take “concrete measures” within 30 days to rectify the situation.
“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,” Blinken and Austin wrote. NSM-20 is a memorandum issued by President Joe Biden in February 2023, which stipulates that recipients of U.S. weapons must offer “credible and reliable written assurances” of their compliance with international law.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized to reporters that the private correspondence expressed concerns regarding the reduced levels of humanitarian assistance reaching Gaza. He noted that a similar letter had been sent in April, and while aid deliveries had improved temporarily, they have since “fallen by over 50%,” with September seeing the lowest volume of aid in the past year.
John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, indicated that the letter was prompted by “a marked decrease in humanitarian assistance, which has us concerned.” While he did not specifically address the potential limitations on military aid, Miller pointed out the importance of the NSM-20 guidelines, which outline the necessary humanitarian standards.
“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 said.
Reports from Israeli media suggest that the restrictions outlined in NSM-20 do not apply to "defensive" equipment, such as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, which has recently been provided to Israel to counter potential Iranian missile attacks.
Israeli defense sources indicated to the Jerusalem Post that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may need to acquiesce to U.S. demands, even if it means reconsidering his reported intention to impose a blockade on Hamas in northern Gaza.
Washington has also urged West Jerusalem to refrain from escalating military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon, advocating instead for diplomatic solutions.
The 30-day timeframe extends the decision regarding military aid to Israel beyond the upcoming U.S. presidential election, during which incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris has faced challenges in securing support from Palestinian and Arab-American voters, partially due to the administration’s backing of Israel.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
