Aid into Gaza hits 11-month low despite US ultimatum to Israel

The amount of aid reaching Gaza has dropped to the lowest level since December, official Israeli figures show, despite the US having issued a 30-day ultimatum last month threatening sanctions if there was no increase in humanitarian supplies reaching the territory.

- Jason Burke

The ultimatum was delivered on 13 October, so will expire today or tomorrow. It is unclear what measures Israel's apparent failure to fulfil US demands will trigger, but they may include a temporary halt to the supply of some munitions or other military assistance.

Only 8,805 tonnes of food aid has crossed through Israeli checkpoints into the territory so far this month. In an apparent last-minute concession yesterday, Israeli authorities announced an extension of the designated "humanitarian zone", adding inland areas that could partially relieve intense overcrowding and allow some displaced people to move away from the coast as winter approaches.

However, Israel appears to have ignored most of the demands made in a letter sent jointly by Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, and Lloyd Austin, the defence secretary, on 13 October.

Aid officials in Gaza describe the situation in much of the territory, where more than 80% of the population of 2.3 million has been displaced and more than two-thirds of buildings have been destroyed or damaged in 13 months of war, as "apocalyptic". One UN official said: "Almost nothing is getting in any more. The small street markets that sprang up have all gone. There's a bit of flour, some washing-up liquid... a kilo of tomatoes costs nearly $20 [£15.50]. Even if you have money there is nothing to buy. Everyone is going hungry again."