US strategy in Gaza a mess over conflicting policies on arms and aid

The Biden administration's policy on Gaza has been widely criticised as being in disarray after the US defence secretary described the situation as a "humanitarian catastrophe" the day after the state department had declared Israel to be in compliance with international humanitarian law.

- Julian Borger 

Washington was also on the defensive on Tuesday over its claim that a UN security council ceasefire resolution on which it abstained was non-binding, an interpretation that puts the US at odds with other member states, international legal scholars and the UN itself.

Analysts said the strain was increasingly showing as the administration sought to maintain a policy that aims to influence Israel's actions and prevent a full-scale famine in Gaza while avoiding the use of leverage such as the restriction of arms supplies, which could have political repercussions in an election year.