Israel’s security Cabinet has signed off on steps to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip ahead of Wednesday’s deadline imposed by the Biden administration to address the dilemma or face a weapons embargo.
On Oct. 13, a letter from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to their Israeli counterparts warned that they had 30 days to comply with the demands or face the embargo.
Israel must allow at least 350 trucks a day through the four major crossing points. It must also implement “humanitarian pauses” in combat operations throughout Gaza as necessary to carry out relief activities, such as vaccination programs and aid distribution, and enhance security for aid convoy operations, the letter stated.
Although the U.S. demanded that Israel allow at least 350 trucks into Gaza per day, the actual number has been well under 100 on average the past several months, according to The Times of Israel newspaper.
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, the Israeli military organization in charge of humanitarian aid to Gaza, said the drop in the number of aid trucks in October was due to the closure of the crossing for the Jewish High Holidays and the memorials marking the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that started the war, The Times of Israel reported.
“October was a very weak month,” an Israel official told the newspaper. “But if you look at the November numbers, we are holding steady at around 50 trucks per day to northern Gaza and 150 per day to the rest of Gaza.”
The official said Israel has added entrances into Gaza, expanded the humanitarian zone and increased security for aid vehicles as part of the process to improve the humanitarian situation.
Despite pressure from the White House, Israel is standing firm on its refusal to allow 50 to 100 commercial trucks a day into the Gaza Strip.
“The official said commercial activity had been halted because Hamas was controlling the merchants,” The Times of Israel reported. “Restrictions on the entry of closed containers would also not be lifted due to security risks.”
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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