Tel Aviv: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, stating that Israel’s efforts to improve the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza have been insufficient. Blinken requested that Israel take further action to alleviate the dire situation in the region, according to a senior State Department official.
During “extended conversations” with Netanyahu and other top Israeli leaders, Blinken emphasized the urgent need for more aid access to Gaza. The Israeli leadership reportedly committed to addressing these U.S. requests, according to the same official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Blinken’s visit to Israel is part of a broader week-long tour across the Middle East. However, the Israeli summary of the meeting did not mention humanitarian issues. Earlier this month, Blinken, along with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, had sent a letter to Israeli officials urging them to take concrete steps within the next month to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The letter also hinted at potential limitations on U.S. military aid should these efforts fall short—a notable shift in tone since the conflict with Hamas began a year ago.
“The measures taken thus far have not been adequate, and we made that clear today,” the official said. “Israel’s leaders assured us they are acting on our requests and are committed to addressing the humanitarian needs. While we take these commitments seriously, it’s the outcomes that matter.”
Despite these U.S. assurances, the Israeli statement following the meeting did not reference any humanitarian commitments. The State Department’s readout, however, reiterated Blinken’s emphasis on the need for increased aid to Gaza, a topic conspicuously absent from the Israeli readout.
The humanitarian aid entering Gaza has reached its lowest level of the year, according to U.N. reports. The U.N. has also noted that Israel has blocked multiple attempts to deliver aid, particularly to northern Gaza, in recent weeks.
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“Generals’ Plan”
Israeli officials also clarified to Blinken that it is not Israeli policy to impose siege tactics on Hamas in northern Gaza. This response came after a so-called “Generals’ Plan”, proposed by retired military commanders and discussed by some Israeli lawmakers, suggested ordering Palestinian civilians to evacuate northern Gaza, after which the area would be declared a closed military zone.
“They made it clear that this is not their policy,” the State Department official said. “We advised them to communicate this publicly. While we are not certain they will, we did receive a clear commitment that this is not their stated policy.”
Israel began a large-scale military offensive in northern Gaza over two weeks ago, particularly targeting Jabalia, the largest of the region’s eight historical refugee camps. The operation’s stated goal is to prevent Hamas fighters from regrouping.
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However, residents reported that Israeli forces had besieged hospitals, schools, and shelters housing displaced families, ordering them to evacuate to southern Gaza. They also claimed that dozens of men were detained during the operations.
The Israeli military has denied accusations that the evacuations are part of a broader plan, stating that civilians are being moved to distance them from Hamas militants.
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The death toll in Gaza continues to rise, nearing 43,000 according to the latest health ministry reports. Most of Gaza’s population, estimated at 2.3 million, remains displaced, with many taking refuge in makeshift shelters.
Israel’s military campaign followed a Hamas-led attack on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of around 250 hostages, who were taken back into Gaza.
