08:55Mandatory credit: US State Department
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that Washington has warned Israel to bolster humanitarian assistance in Gaza or face cuts in military support from Washington, during a presser on Tuesday.
"First, the Secretary (Antony Blinken) did write along with his - along with Secretary of Defence Austin to the Defence Minister of Israel Yoav Gallant and the Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer on Sunday to make clear our concerns about the levels of humanitarian assistance that have been making it into Gaza," Miller stated, adding that the details of the letter were never intended ‘to be public’.
The spokesperson warned Tel Aviv that US military assistance would be reduced if Israel continues to hinder the flow of US humanitarian aid in line with the ‘provisions of US law’, noting a 'very serious decrease' in deliveries to Gaza in September.
Miller appeared to dodge a journalist's question over Israeli strikes on Lebanon, claiming that some of Tel Aviv's recent attacks were 'appropriate' while noting his opposition to the bombing of the capital Beirut.
"So if they return to that bombing campaign with an appropriate scope, which I assume you’re not going to define... then that would be fine?" the journalist pressed on, to which Miller responded that he would not "speak to a hypothetical here."
Israel has conducted a ground incursion into parts of southern Lebanon, as well as an ongoing campaign of airstrikes on Hezbollah targets over the past month, killing over 2,300 people at the time of publication, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Health.
During the presser, Miller also noted Washington’s concerns about reports of the DPRK sending troops to Ukraine and 'fighting on behalf of Russia.'
"If that’s true, it would mark a significant increase in the relationship between those two countries […] It would also indicate a new level of desperation by Russia, as it continues to suffer significant casualties on the battlefield," the spokesperson remarked.
Multiple reports indicated that Pyongyang has sent up to 10,000 soldiers to assist Moscow in its ongoing operation on Ukrainian soil.
Asked about the DPRK 'destroying its own roads' near its southern border with South Korea, Miller laughed before saying that Washington was acting in 'close coordination with our Republic of Korea allies' to urge Pyongyang to 'return to dialogue and diplomacy.'
The spokesperson was also questioned about the recent tensions between Canada and India. Miller noted that Canada's accusations were ‘serious’ and advocated for both sides to investigate together instead of taking an ‘alternate path’ over the matter.
India and Canada are in dispute over several issues, most notably over Ottawa's allegations that New Delhi was behind the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada in June 2023. The sides both ordered the expulsion of diplomats following the allegations.
'We didn't intend this to be public!' - State Dept confirms US warned Israel to increase Gaza aid or face cuts to military support
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that Washington has warned Israel to bolster humanitarian assistance in Gaza or face cuts in military support from Washington, during a presser on Tuesday.
"First, the Secretary (Antony Blinken) did write along with his - along with Secretary of Defence Austin to the Defence Minister of Israel Yoav Gallant and the Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer on Sunday to make clear our concerns about the levels of humanitarian assistance that have been making it into Gaza," Miller stated, adding that the details of the letter were never intended ‘to be public’.
The spokesperson warned Tel Aviv that US military assistance would be reduced if Israel continues to hinder the flow of US humanitarian aid in line with the ‘provisions of US law’, noting a 'very serious decrease' in deliveries to Gaza in September.
Miller appeared to dodge a journalist's question over Israeli strikes on Lebanon, claiming that some of Tel Aviv's recent attacks were 'appropriate' while noting his opposition to the bombing of the capital Beirut.
"So if they return to that bombing campaign with an appropriate scope, which I assume you’re not going to define... then that would be fine?" the journalist pressed on, to which Miller responded that he would not "speak to a hypothetical here."
Israel has conducted a ground incursion into parts of southern Lebanon, as well as an ongoing campaign of airstrikes on Hezbollah targets over the past month, killing over 2,300 people at the time of publication, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Health.
During the presser, Miller also noted Washington’s concerns about reports of the DPRK sending troops to Ukraine and 'fighting on behalf of Russia.'
"If that’s true, it would mark a significant increase in the relationship between those two countries […] It would also indicate a new level of desperation by Russia, as it continues to suffer significant casualties on the battlefield," the spokesperson remarked.
Multiple reports indicated that Pyongyang has sent up to 10,000 soldiers to assist Moscow in its ongoing operation on Ukrainian soil.
Asked about the DPRK 'destroying its own roads' near its southern border with South Korea, Miller laughed before saying that Washington was acting in 'close coordination with our Republic of Korea allies' to urge Pyongyang to 'return to dialogue and diplomacy.'
The spokesperson was also questioned about the recent tensions between Canada and India. Miller noted that Canada's accusations were ‘serious’ and advocated for both sides to investigate together instead of taking an ‘alternate path’ over the matter.
India and Canada are in dispute over several issues, most notably over Ottawa's allegations that New Delhi was behind the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada in June 2023. The sides both ordered the expulsion of diplomats following the allegations.
Mandatory credit: US State Department
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that Washington has warned Israel to bolster humanitarian assistance in Gaza or face cuts in military support from Washington, during a presser on Tuesday.
"First, the Secretary (Antony Blinken) did write along with his - along with Secretary of Defence Austin to the Defence Minister of Israel Yoav Gallant and the Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer on Sunday to make clear our concerns about the levels of humanitarian assistance that have been making it into Gaza," Miller stated, adding that the details of the letter were never intended ‘to be public’.
The spokesperson warned Tel Aviv that US military assistance would be reduced if Israel continues to hinder the flow of US humanitarian aid in line with the ‘provisions of US law’, noting a 'very serious decrease' in deliveries to Gaza in September.
Miller appeared to dodge a journalist's question over Israeli strikes on Lebanon, claiming that some of Tel Aviv's recent attacks were 'appropriate' while noting his opposition to the bombing of the capital Beirut.
"So if they return to that bombing campaign with an appropriate scope, which I assume you’re not going to define... then that would be fine?" the journalist pressed on, to which Miller responded that he would not "speak to a hypothetical here."
Israel has conducted a ground incursion into parts of southern Lebanon, as well as an ongoing campaign of airstrikes on Hezbollah targets over the past month, killing over 2,300 people at the time of publication, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Health.
During the presser, Miller also noted Washington’s concerns about reports of the DPRK sending troops to Ukraine and 'fighting on behalf of Russia.'
"If that’s true, it would mark a significant increase in the relationship between those two countries […] It would also indicate a new level of desperation by Russia, as it continues to suffer significant casualties on the battlefield," the spokesperson remarked.
Multiple reports indicated that Pyongyang has sent up to 10,000 soldiers to assist Moscow in its ongoing operation on Ukrainian soil.
Asked about the DPRK 'destroying its own roads' near its southern border with South Korea, Miller laughed before saying that Washington was acting in 'close coordination with our Republic of Korea allies' to urge Pyongyang to 'return to dialogue and diplomacy.'
The spokesperson was also questioned about the recent tensions between Canada and India. Miller noted that Canada's accusations were ‘serious’ and advocated for both sides to investigate together instead of taking an ‘alternate path’ over the matter.
India and Canada are in dispute over several issues, most notably over Ottawa's allegations that New Delhi was behind the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada in June 2023. The sides both ordered the expulsion of diplomats following the allegations.