The Biden administration’s Gaza policy has been widely criticized as chaotic, with the defense secretary describing the situation as a “humanitarian catastrophe” a day after the State Department declared Israel was in compliance with international humanitarian law.
The U.S. government also went on the defensive Tuesday over its assertion that the U.N. Security Council’s cease-fire resolution, which it abstained from, was not binding, an interpretation that has put the U.S., other member states, international legal scholars, and the U.N. It was meant to conflict with that.
Analysts said the regime aimed to influence Israeli behavior and prevent a full-scale famine in the Gaza Strip, while avoiding the use of influence, such as restricting arms supplies, which could have political consequences. He said the country is trying to maintain policy and tensions are rising. at his home during an election year.
“The strategy is a mess,” said Jeremy Konyndyk, a former senior Biden official and current president of Refugee Aid and Advocacy International.
“The United States is making a big deal about fighting hunger caused by its own bombs and diplomatic cover,” Konyndyk said. X Social Media Platform. “This is not the way to fight hunger. People are starving and this is a mess.”
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin acknowledged the seriousness and urgency of the crisis when he met with Israeli Defense Secretary Yoav Gallant at the Pentagon on Tuesday.
“Gaza is in the grips of a humanitarian catastrophe, and the situation is getting worse,” Austin told reporters, calling for a significant increase in aid deliveries by land.
Under US pressure, Israel opened a third land route to Gaza. gate 96allowing access to the North but restricting items that are considered dual-use, designating a small number of drivers to be allowed to use the crossing, and other procedural requirements for aid convoys passing through the North. We continue to limit the scale.
Israel announced on Monday that it would cease cooperation with the United Nations relief agency Unrwa, the main aid agency serving the Gaza Strip. Umruwa said aid convoys have been blocked since March 21.
On the same day, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller asserted that the United States has no reason at this time to challenge Israel’s assurances that it complies with humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip.
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“They have not been found to have violated international humanitarian law, either in waging war or in providing humanitarian aid,” Miller said.
The U.S. assessment is critical under the following circumstances: national security memorandum The bill, known as NSM-20 and issued by Joe Biden in February, requires countries receiving U.S. weapons to use “such defense articles in accordance with international humanitarian law.” requires a written guarantee.
One of the criteria is that “the host country does not, directly or indirectly, arbitrarily deny the transportation or delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance or international efforts to provide U.S. government-supported humanitarian assistance; shall not be restricted or otherwise interfered with.
If the Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense determines that a country’s compliance status is “in question,” arms supplies could be suspended.
Miller’s comments about Israel’s guarantees drew ire from aid groups and some progressive members of Congress.
“It is absurd on its face to pretend that Israel is not violating international law or interfering with U.S. humanitarian assistance,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders. “The State Department’s position makes a mockery of U.S. law and the guarantees provided to Congress.”
Mr Miller said there was an “ongoing process” to assess the legality of Israeli military operations in Gaza, which was part of a review mechanism the government established in September called the Civilian Incident Response Guidance. It was mentioned.
“At this time, we cannot conclude that Israel has violated international humanitarian law,” Miller said, but the review process will continue and the deadline for a full compliance report as required by the presidential memorandum is set. He added that it would not be until the 8th. May.
Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen said the State Department’s position is ambiguous, but if it says Israel is currently complying with the terms of NSM-20, “their decisions are “It is completely out of touch with the realities of the state, especially the State Department.” Comply with the standards necessary for the provision of humanitarian assistance in and within Gaza. ”
“In the face of worsening famine, disproportionate civilian casualties, and repeated threats of attacks on Rafah against the wishes of the United States, Israel Treating the guarantees received as sufficient does not imply liability on the part of NSM.” The -20 first expedition is an empty gesture, effectively giving Israel the go-ahead to continue using its weapons against America’s laws, interests, and values. ”
