Archive · 31 Jan 2026
US Envoys Blocked Gaza 'Apocalyptic Wasteland' Warning
In early 2024, U.S. officials wrote a report about the terrible conditions in Northern Gaza, calling it an 'Apocalyptic Wasteland' with lots of people starving and needing medical help.
But the U.S. Ambassador to Israel and his deputy stopped this report from being shared widely because they thought it wasn't fair.
They said the report didn't show both sides of the story.
This made it hard for other U.S. officials to know how bad things were in Gaza.
The report was based on visits by U.N. staff who saw dead bodies, bones, and people suffering.
The war in Gaza started when Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, and since then, many people have died.
Some U.S. officials were surprised by how quickly the situation got worse, but they didn't get regular updates because it was too dangerous to go into Gaza.
USAID staff drafted a cable in early 2024 describing Northern Gaza as an 'Apocalyptic Wasteland' with severe shortages of food and medical aid.
U.S. Ambassador Jack Lew and Deputy Stephanie Hallett blocked the cable's wider distribution, citing concerns about balance.
The cable was based on a U.N. fact-finding mission that observed gruesome scenes, including dead bodies and catastrophic human needs.
The blocked cable was one of five sent in early 2024 documenting deteriorating conditions in Gaza due to Israel's military campaign.
The Biden administration's support for Israel during the war has deeply divided the Democratic Party, with over 80% of Democrats believing Israel's response has been excessive.
- Who
- U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) staffers, U.S. Ambassador Jack Lew, Deputy Stephanie Hallett
- What
- A warning cable about the dire situation in Northern Gaza was blocked from wider distribution
- When
- Early 2024
- Where
- Gaza Strip, Israel
- Why
- The cable was deemed to lack balance by the U.S. envoys
- Date of Cable
- February 2024
- Blocked By
- U.S. Ambassador Jack Lew and Deputy Stephanie Hallett
- Reason for Blocking
- Lack of balance
- Gaza Death Toll
- Over 71,000 (as of the report)
- Hamas Attacks
- October 7, 2023
- USAID Gaza Staff
- Skeleton staff since 2019
- Democrat Poll
- 80% believe Israel's response excessive
Sources
Exclusive-Early warning of ‘Apocalyptic Wasteland’ in Gaza blocked by US envoys to Israel
Israel Acknowledges Over 70,000 Palestinians Died Since Start Of 2023 War
Early warning of ‘Apocalyptic Wasteland’ in Gaza blocked by US envoys to Israel
