JERUSALEM, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The White House has informed Israel that the United States will halt weapons transfers within 30 days unless Israel permits the entry of desperately needed humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported on Tuesday.
According to the report, in a letter from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, the U.S. officials warned that Israel's failure to allow more deliveries of humanitarian aid and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza could lead to arms transfers sanctions under U.S. law.
The letter was sent following concerns that Israel is not meeting its obligations under international humanitarian law in northern Gaza, according to the report.
Since last October, aid deliveries, including food, water, gas, fuel, and medicine, to the enclave have been restricted, particularly in northern Gaza, where famine has spread, according to the United Nations.
Israeli airstrikes and ground assaults have killed at least 42,344 people and injured 99,013 in Gaza, according to an update on Tuesday from the Gaza-based health authorities. ■