In its toughest message yet, the U.S. has threatened to cut off military aid to Israel unless Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government lifts tight restrictions on humanitarian aid into Gaza. This strong stance comes in a letter signed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, warning that Israel’s restrictions on aid shipments—especially limits on the movement of people and goods between northern and southern Gaza—have crossed a line.
The letter demands that Israel allow at least 350 trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza daily, create ceasefire windows for the safe distribution of supplies, and halt evacuation orders when no combat activity is planned. These steps, Washington warned, must be implemented within 30 days or Israel risks losing access to billions in military support under the Foreign Assistance Act, which bars aid to nations obstructing humanitarian efforts.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue aggressive strikes on Gaza and Lebanon, with Netanyahu refusing to consider a ceasefire despite U.S. concerns over growing casualties and international pressure. Netanyahu also rejected calls from world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, to pause fighting with Hezbollah, even as Lebanon suffers extensive damage and thousands are displaced.
With tensions running high, Tehran has also threatened “decisive action” should Israel retaliate against Iranian-linked attacks, and Iran’s allies in the region are stepping up missile strikes. The U.S. response? A complex balancing act. Despite its demands, Washington is deploying advanced THAAD anti-missile systems to support Israel’s defenses against escalating threats from Iran and Hezbollah.
As both nations weigh the high stakes, the U.S. is under pressure to enforce humanitarian norms while ensuring Israel’s security—a challenging line in a deeply volatile and rapidly escalating Middle Eastern conflict.
