- October 23, 2024
- 3:41 pm
- Ukraine
Antony Blinken made it clear during his visit to Israel that there is an urgent need to step up efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in the northern Gaza Strip. Delivery delays have already attracted the attention of the international community, including the United States.
Warning from the US: Possible Consequences for Israel
A Biden administration source told reporters that if the Israeli government does not take effective steps to improve the humanitarian aid situation, Israel could face serious consequences “at the legislative level.” Last week, Washington officially warned the Israeli government that if the humanitarian aid problem was not resolved within 30 days, the United States could impose an arms embargo.
This embargo could seriously impact Israel's military capabilities in the region, especially in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Israeli army is dependent on American arms supplies, and any delay could weaken their position in this tense region.
Link to Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in his speech emphasized that Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea threaten global food security, which, in turn, aggravates the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The agency writes about this Reuters.
Russia has repeatedly struck ports in southern Ukraine, causing significant delays in sending humanitarian aid. According to British intelligence, the Russian attacks damaged several merchant ships carrying food for the World Food Programme, including for Palestine and other regions of the Global South. The strikes have a direct impact on aid delivery to Gaza, prompting the US to insist that Israel do more to speed up the process.
Why do Russian attacks threaten the delivery of humanitarian aid?
Russian attacks on Ukraine's Black Sea ports have been a major factor in delays in the shipment of humanitarian supplies destined for Palestine and Gaza. The strikes were reported to have affected the departure of a number of ships, including those carrying oil for the World Food Programme.
| Consequences of Russian attacks on ports | Description |
|---|---|
| Delay of humanitarian aid | Attacks on ports led to blockage of food and oil supplies to Gaza |
| Disruption of the global food chain | Grain shipments to Global South countries, including Palestine, delayed |
Russia has intensified attacks on Ukrainian ports, resulting in significant damage to infrastructure and ships. According to ReutersRussian strikes from October 5 to 14 damaged at least four merchant ships in the Black Sea. One such vessel was the MV SHUI SPIRIT, which was carrying vegetable oil for the World Food Program in Gaza.
These delays have worsened the already dire humanitarian situation in northern Gaza, where millions of people are in need of food and medical assistance. Blinken, citing these delays, stressed that Israel must do more to improve the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Israel's role in humanitarian aid
Antony Blinken insists that Israel must take proactive measures to improve the humanitarian aid situation in Gaza. While the delays are caused by Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports, the US is holding Israel responsible for ensuring aid is quickly distributed.
In recent months, the international community has been pressuring Israel to step up its humanitarian efforts. If the problem is not resolved soon, the United States may impose serious sanctions, including an arms embargo. This could significantly weaken the Israeli armed forces and complicate the situation in the region.
Conclusion
The situation in Gaza is becoming more complicated both because of Russian actions and because of the need for more active Israeli participation in the delivery of humanitarian aid. Against the backdrop of Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports, Israel found itself under the threat of sanctions from the United States. If Israel does not take action within the next 30 days, it faces an arms embargo that will significantly affect its position in the region.
