White House Staff
At least 20 White House staffers have publicly criticized President Joe Biden for his failure to enforce a previous ultimatum that Israel take “concrete measures” to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, or face potential restrictions on American arms supplies.
The sharp rebuke stems from a letter sent by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on October 13, which gave Israel 30 days to implement specific actions to ease the situation in Gaza. These included allowing at least 350 aid trucks to enter the territory daily.
The deadline passed without significant progress, as humanitarian organizations reported a deteriorating situation, particularly in northern Gaza, where Israeli military operations have escalated.
These operations have claimed hundreds of civilian lives and disrupted vital aid supplies. A coalition of eight aid organizations expressed concerns, accusing Israel of consistently failing to facilitate necessary humanitarian assistance.
They warned that food and other essential aid were being denied, pushing Gaza closer to famine. The groups stated that the ongoing situation had left 800,000 Palestinian civilians in Gaza without access to critical necessities.
In their letter, the White House staffers emphasized the urgency of action, stating, “You are running out of time to do the right thing, but decisive action could save precious lives in the next two months.”
The staffers’ remarks are part of a broader push against the current approach to Gaza, with several of Biden’s team urging for a shift in policy.
However, President Biden has remained steadfast in his support of Israel, reaffirming that Washington’s commitment to the country’s security is “ironclad.”
Since Israel’s military campaign began, nearly 44,000 people have died in Gaza, and the humanitarian crisis has reached catastrophic levels. Israel’s restrictions on food, water, and medical aid—stemming from a longstanding blockade—have worsened the already dire conditions.
A senior White House staffer, speaking anonymously to Politico, said that the decision to sign the letter was driven by concerns over the long-term consequences of inaction. They warned that continuing on the current path would result in a “legacy of horror” for both Gaza and the Biden administration.
Meanwhile, the Senate is preparing to vote on resolutions led by Independent Senator Bernie Sanders to block over $20 billion in proposed arms sales to Israel.
These sales include advanced weaponry such as Joint Direct Attack Munitions, high explosive mortar rounds, military vehicles, and fighter jets.
Sanders and other critics argue that these weapons have been used in ways that violate international humanitarian law, citing numerous documented incidents of civilian harm.
However, as of now, only six senators have expressed support for blocking the arms deals, signaling a challenging uphill battle for those advocating for a change in U.S. policy.
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