Live Updates: Source says Israel tells US it will attack Iranian military, not nuclear or oil sites

Palestinians line up to eat in Rafah, Gaza, December 21, 2023.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration wrote a letter to the Israeli government calling for action to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza as aid “has declined by over 50% from its peak,” according to a State Department spokesman.

Following requests from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in April, Israel increased the level of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, but the level has not been “sustained” in recent months, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Tuesday, characterizing the current one Level as “very, very low”.

The U.S. had intensive discussions with Israel expressing concerns about aid, Miller said, but “ultimately we did not see that our concerns were addressed,” prompting the letter.

Unclear about possible consequences: Miller declined to say what the possible consequences would be if Israel did not comply – other than to say there are implications for U.S. law.

In May, the Biden administration submitted a report to Congress concluding that Israel had not violated international law in its war in Gaza, Miller said, noting that Blinken's assessment was “based on the changes we introduced.” had, and on the increased level of humanitarian aid.”

However, these elevated levels must be maintained, he added. The US wanted to make it clear to Israel what changes needed to be made before making an overnight change in assessment that could lead to changes in US policy.

Miller said the 30-day deadline will not be affected by the upcoming presidential election in November.