Israel has made progress on assistance into Gaza but more needs to be done, Pentagon chief says

MIAMI (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Thursday that Israel had made some progress in getting assistance into Gaza but more needed to be done.

The U.S. told Israel in a letter last month it must take steps in the next month to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza or face potential restrictions on U.S. military aid.

While Austin did not specifically comment on the letter, he said: "They have made some progress... but more needs to be made."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Austin wrote to Israeli officials last month demanding concrete measures to address the worsening situation in the Palestinian enclave.

Failure to do so could impact U.S. policy, said the letter.

The letter outlined specific steps Israel must take within 30 days, including enabling a minimum of 350 trucks to enter Gaza per day, instituting pauses in fighting to allow aid delivery and rescinding evacuation orders to Palestinian civilians when there is no operational need.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Chris Reese and David Gregorio)