“To Avoid U.S. Sanctions”: Israel Announces Expansion of Humanitarian Zone in Gaza

In what appears to be a move to avoid U.S. sanctions, Israel announced on Monday the expansion of the humanitarian zone in the Gaza Strip, allowing in food, water, and medicine.

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The Israeli army announced on Monday the enlargement of the humanitarian zone, stating that it includes field hospitals established since the beginning of the conflict as well as tent camps. It clarified that quantities of food, water, medicine, and medical supplies have been brought in, coordinated between the government’s Coordinator of Activities in the Territories and the international community.

In a statement accompanied by a map showing the humanitarian zone after its expansion, the Israeli army stated that it “will continue efforts to achieve the war’s objectives, including dismantling Hamas and recovering all hostages.”

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Israeli media connected the army’s decision to the deadline Washington had set for Tel Aviv to allow aid into Gaza.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had informed Israel on October 15 that if aid was not fully delivered into Gaza within a month, they would have to resort to sanctions.

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The Israeli news site “i24” reported that “in light of U.S. arms embargo threats against Israel, the army announced today the expansion of the humanitarian zone.”

It added that “four days before the deadline, the Israeli army announced it would expand the humanitarian zone.”