**Biden Administration Urges Israel to Increase Humanitarian Aid to Gaza**

The Biden administration has issued a stern warning to Israel, threatening potential punitive measures, including halting US weapons transfers, unless it allows more humanitarian aid into Gaza. In a jointly signed letter dated 13 October, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the region by easing restrictions on aid entry within the next 30 days.

This four-page document was addressed to Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant and strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer. It was brought to public attention after being leaked and posted on social media by Barak Ravid, an Israeli journalist working for Axios. The authenticity of the letter was confirmed by US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller during a news briefing on Tuesday.

Humanitarian organizations have consistently emphasized the urgent need for increased deliveries of food and medical supplies to Gaza. However, according to the United Nations, aid shipments to the heavily affected territory have plummeted to their lowest levels in months. An Israeli official stationed in Washington remarked that Israel is currently reviewing the letter and intends to address the concerns raised by the US.

The letter highlights severe delays in the distribution of US-funded aid at crossing points into Gaza and notes that the overall flow of assistance has declined by over 50% since Israel's commitment in March to permit more deliveries. Additionally, it expresses concerns about the worsening conditions in Gaza due to recent actions by the Israeli government. Specifically, the US letter calls for Israel to allow at least 350 aid trucks daily and to introduce humanitarian pauses in military activities.

The White House's national security spokesman, John Kirby, clarified that the letter was not meant as a threat but rather to express the urgent need for increased humanitarian assistance. Congressional Republicans, on the other hand, have criticized the White House for invoking NSM-20, a measure they deem redundant and overly critical of Israel.

If Israel fails to comply, the Biden administration warns of potential policy implications under NSM-20 and other relevant US laws, such as section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act and the Leahy Act. These laws prevent the US from providing military assistance or arms sales to countries that restrict humanitarian aid or violate human rights.

The letter also referred to video footage viewed by Blinken, showing a Palestinian severely burned after an Israeli strike outside a Gaza hospital, underscoring the urgency of their request. Despite frequent US appeals to increase aid access, Netanyahu's administration has often resisted moderating its military actions in Gaza.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in more than 42,000 Palestinian deaths and significant destruction of infrastructure in Gaza, adding to the dire humanitarian situation. The US continues to press Israel to fulfill its assurances of allowing humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza or face serious repercussions.