Biden administration says it will not limit arms transfers to Israel

The Joe Biden administration announced on Tuesday that it will not impose restrictions on arms transfers to Israel, despite previous warnings linked to the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Official noted limited progress in easing aid access but emphasized the need for further action.

Limited progress on Gaza aid

U.S. State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel acknowledged that Israel has made “good but limited” progress in increasing the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, relief organizations report that conditions remain dire, with the situation worsening in the ongoing 13-month conflict.

“We have not made an assessment that Israel is in violation of U.S. law,” Patel told reporters, referencing legal requirements for military aid recipients to comply with international humanitarian law and not obstruct the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

No halt to arms transfers to Israel

Patel confirmed that the Biden administration will not halt arms transfers to Israel as previously threatened. He stated that while the current measures taken by Israel have not significantly altered the humanitarian situation, they indicate a positive step forward.

“We are not giving Israel a pass,” Patel said, adding that the steps Israel has taken have not yet made a significant enough difference.

“We want to see the totality of the humanitarian situation improve, and we think some of these steps will allow the conditions for that to continue to progress.” Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said.