It marks a significant new step by the US to try to compel Israel to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The Sunday letter, jointly written by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, is addressed to Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer.
Future US aid could be at risk, however. The letter, dated October 13, notes that the US State and Defense departments, under US law, "must continually assess" Israel's adherence to its assurances made earlier this year that it would not restrict aid flows into the enclave. Israel must also take action to ensure that the Jordan Armed forces corridors are functioning at "full and continuous capacity".
Blinken and Austin wrote that the Israeli government's actions appear to be contributing to the worsening humanitarian situation. The administration also believes that sending a US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery to Israel and roughly 100 soldiers to operate it has eased some of Israel's concerns about possible Iranian retaliation and general security issues.
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