U.S. Continues Military Support for Israel Amid Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis

The State Department has confirmed that it will maintain military aid to Israel, even as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Officials emphasized the need for Israel to facilitate more aid into the Palestinian territory, although a deadline for improvement has gone unmet.

In a letter sent on October 13, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin conveyed their concerns about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where two million residents face increasingly dire circumstances. They noted that the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza had dropped by 50 percent since April, amidst reports of potential famine conditions in the region.

According to U.N. officials, Israel's actions, including continued restrictions on aid and targeting humanitarian personnel, could potentially violate international law and may constitute war crimes. Despite these alarming reports, the Biden administration has decided to continue sending arms to Israel, citing legal obligations regarding foreign military aid and the need for adherence to human rights standards.

Food insecurity experts working under the auspices of U.N. organizations are sounding alarms about the growing threat of famine in northern Gaza, indicating a critical need for immediate international intervention to address the needs of the local population.