USAID warned parts of Gaza resembled an apocalyptic wasteland in 2024
Analysis: Blocked USAID cables on Gaza reveal a deeper struggle inside Biden’s policy apparatus
In early 2024, a set of internal USAID cables describing northern Gaza as an “apocalyptic wasteland” collided with a diplomatic gate. The U.S. ambassador to Jerusalem, Jack Lew, and his deputy, Stephanie Hallett, blocked wider distribution, arguing the documents lacked balance, according to interviews with former officials and documents described to Reuters. The decision offers a rare window into how humanitarian warnings can be…