US demands Israel declare it is not deliberately starving Palestinians: Report

Lisa Grande, the Biden administration's Middle East aid envoy, reportedly demanded that Israel clarify its humanitarian policy in Gaza during a tense phone call with Ghassan Alian, head of the Israeli military body responsible for Palestinian civil affairs (Cogat), Israel's Channel 12 reported.

Grande insisted Israel publicly declare it is not following a policy of deliberately starving Palestinians in Gaza. She also called for the cancellation of evacuation orders for civilians, allowing them to return home, and for a detailed plan to protect civilian infrastructure.

Unnamed US officials said Alian was reportedly “stunned” by the demands in the heated conversation but the call remained constructive, Channel 12 reported.