Israel and U.S. Aid: Humanitarian Access in Gaza (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Oct. 17, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IN12444 |
| Report Type |
Insight |
| Authors |
Jeremy M. Sharp; Jim Zanotti |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
On October 13, 2024, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
jointly sent a letter, which the State Department described as a “private diplomatic communication,” to
Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer. The letter states
that “Israel must, starting now and within 30 days,” act on several “concrete measures” vis-a-vis Gaza,
such as enabling a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The letter states that “(f)ailure to demonstrate a
sustained commitment to implementing and maintaining these measures may have implications for U.S.
policy” under existing law.
The letter coincides with continued conflict and possible escalation between Israel and Iran. Hostilities
persist in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Yemen and the Red Sea, Iraq, and Syria. U.S. officials have
continued to reaffirm U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself and U.S. commitment to Israel's
security. The letter also coincides with the arrival of roughly 100 U.S. military personnel in Israel to
operate a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense battery; media reports assert
that Israel is currently facing a shortage of air defense interceptors to counter incoming projectiles.
The letter is the latest expression by the Administration critical of some aspects of Israel’s prosecution of
the war in Gaza. As a cease-fire agreement remains elusive, Israel and Hamas have continued to engage in
urban warfare amidst a civilian population subject to Israeli military strikes, Hamas military use of
civilian infrastructure, low levels of humanitarian aid, and increasing disorder and lawlessness in some
areas.
In early October, in response to some Hamas fighters reportedly reconstituting in northern Gaza, Israel
resumed major ground operations in Gaza’s Jabaliya. Since July, Israel also reduced the flow of aid into
Gaza according to the Blinken-Austin letter. One U.N. official has described Israeli impediments to food
entering northern Gaza and said that no food came in from October 2 to 15, at which point “a trickle was
allowed in.” As Israeli officials released data in mid-October (after the transmittal of the letter) indicating
increased aid volume entering Gaza, the U.S. State Department said it has seen Israel taking initial steps,
and seeks additional aid delivery to civilians.
