On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and, in separate talks with Netanyahu and other Israeli interlocutors, urged the imperative to act to alleviate the shocking conditions in Gaza, a State Department official pointed out.

During the official meeting, Netanyahu and senior Israeli officials agreed to enhance the aid delivery process. However, the Israeli press release of their discussions did not elaborate on the details. The US has recently raised concern with the declining volumes of aid supplies getting into the Gaza Strip, which, based on UN statistics, stand at the lowest this year, and has accused Israel of preventing several aid consignments to the northern Gaza Strip in the recent past.

The US State Department has raised the pressure to increase aid to Gaza, and Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently wrote to the Israelis. The letter called for more tangible measures to address the humanitarian situation within a month, or the United States may reduce its military assistance. This was one of the harshest warnings issued by the US since the Israel — Hamas war escalated a year ago.

A US official emphasized, ‘The steps that they have taken so far have now not been sufficient, and we relayed that message today that we do need to get more.’ The U.S. insisted on concrete achievements and will vigilantly observe Israel’s activities.

The situation in Gaza is hitting rock bottom. Hospitals, schools, and other shelters have not been spared by Israeli forces in some of the areas, as reported by residents. Israel has denied it was using siege tactics and asserts it is trying to avoid targeting civilians and isolating Hamas militants.

Nearly 43,000 people have been killed, and the health ministry expects even more losses as the Israeli attack goes on.  

Generals’ Plan Controversy

A plan that emerged this month, known as a ‘generals’ plan,’ states that northern Gaza could be sealed off after people leave to become a closed military area. Yet, the Israelis told Blinken that this is not government policy. Nevertheless, some of the civilians revealed they had been forced to flee from the northern Gaza Strip.

Despite a constant flow of international assistance and endeavors aimed at the reconstruction of the area, the report states that Gaza’s economy might take up to ten years to recover from the consequences of the war. Losing essential structures such as schools and hospitals has worsened the economic challenge. Losses for rebuilding it are estimated to be $18.5 billion, implying almost 90% of the total gross domestic product of the Palestinian territories in 2022.

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