Gaza: US threatens Israel with an arms embargo if it doesn’t do something about the humanitarian crisis

The US officially informed Israel a few hours ago that it has 30 days to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza or else it will face the consequences under US law. The most important of these consequences is an arms embargo a move that would put both the Netanyahu government and the ongoing military operations in an extremely difficult position.

Specifically based on Israeli media reports a few days ago during a phone call between Joav Galland and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense informed Galland that there is now intense pressure within the White House regarding the way Israel is handling the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Specifically, Lloyd Austin noted to Gallant that especially Vice President Kamala Harris’ camp is pushing for immediate sanctions on Israel regarding this issue. Lloyd Austin asked Gallant to communicate the issue directly to Benjamin Netanyahu and to make all necessary arrangements for US humanitarian aid to pass into the Palestinian enclave without hindrance.

A few 24 hours after this phone call, it seems that the US went on to officially inform Israel by sending a letter regarding its intentions to Israel’s Strategic Planning Minister Ron Dermer as well, giving a clear timeframe – and pressure – to push this issue forward.

Israeli media report that the letter has a one-month deadline for Israel’s immediate mobilization and includes a specific paragraph in case these steps are not taken. This paragraph states that the US, in accordance with its legal framework, will impose sanctions on Tel Aviv. The most important of these sanctions is also the “freeze” on arms shipments to Israel.

An arms embargo on Israel was called for by Emmanuel Macron a week ago for the same reason, creating a rift with Israel and putting Paris and Tel Aviv in the trenches. Political turmoil has recently been brought about by the sale of arms to Israel and to Germany with the opposition demanding guarantees from the government that the German weapons will not be used by the Israeli army against civilians.

In this climate it appears that the third piece of the sophisticated American anti-aircraft systems being sent by the US is arriving on Israeli soil today and in the coming days the array will be deployed at a location indicated by the country’s military to the group of 100 Americans who have control and responsibility for its handling.

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