The U.S. has stated that Israel has not violated American laws on restricting aid supplies, following the expiration of a 30-day deadline given to Israel to improve humanitarian aid access in Gaza or potentially face reductions in U.S. military assistance.
Officials noted on Tuesday that Israel has taken steps to meet demands for increasing aid to Gaza, including opening a new land crossing and resuming deliveries in the north, though no aid has yet reached the Jabalia refugee camp.
Despite these claims, the UN has reported that aid access to Gaza is at its lowest in a year.
A recent UN-backed report warned of an imminent risk of famine in northern Gaza, where aid has been scarce over the past month.
Joyce Msuya, the United Nations Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, informed council members on Tuesday that Israeli authorities were blocking humanitarian aid from reaching northern Gaza, where hostilities continue, leaving 75,000 residents with dwindling resources.
Last month, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken gave Israel 30 days to ensure that more aid trucks were reaching Gaza daily; this deadline passed on Tuesday.
A letter to the Israeli government urged an end to the isolation of northern Gaza, where aid organizations warn of civilian starvation amidst ongoing military operations.
A coalition of eight humanitarian agencies reported that conditions in Gaza had worsened since the letter was sent.
The U.S. response on Tuesday indicates it will continue supplying weapons to Israel, despite increasing warnings from aid groups about civilian casualties and displacement in northern Gaza due to Israel’s military operations.
The Israeli military stated that it is actively targeting a Hamas resurgence in the region.
Israel claims it has significantly increased aid supplies into Gaza and accuses aid agencies of inadequate distribution.
In Beit Hanoun, where residents endured a month-long siege, UN official Joyce Msuya reported that food and water reached shelters on Monday, only for Israeli forces to forcibly displace people from these areas on Tuesday.
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ilze Kehris stated that the frequency and pattern of Israel’s attacks suggest a systematic targeting of civilians.
Much of the destruction and loss of life has resulted from U.S.-provided weaponry, intended to assist Israel in its campaign against Hamas.
Israel launched this campaign to dismantle Hamas after the group’s attack on October 7, 2023, in southern Israel, which left approximately 1,200 dead and 251 taken hostage.
Since then, the Gaza health ministry, operated by Hamas, reports over 43,000 deaths in Gaza.