US tells Israel it must 'take every possible step to minimize civilian harm' in Gaza

The US State Department has released the readout of a meeting between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, in which they "reviewed steps that Israel has taken to improve the dire humanitarian situation inside Gaza."

The meeting, which took place on Monday in Washington, was timed for the 30-day deadline of the letter sent by the US to Israel on 13 October. It issued an ultimatum regarding the provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza, because according to US law, foreign assistance cannot be provided to a country depriving civilians of food and medicine. 

While Blinken "emphasized the importance of ensuring those changes lead to an actual improvement in the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza," and "reiterated the importance that Israel take every possible step to minimize civilian harm," it is unclear what - if anything - Israel has actually done to meet the demands within the letter. 

The World Health Organisation said October 2024 saw the fewest number of aid trucks entering Gaza thus far.