JERUSALEM (AP) — The United States decided not to punish Israel over the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip after giving it an ultimatum to increase aid entering the territory. But the flow of food, medicine and other supplies to Palestinians is still at nearly its lowest level of the entire 13-month-old war.

Israeli attacks have created deplorable conditions across Gaza, but humanitarian groups say the month-long siege of towns in the north have essentially rendered the area unlivable.And they accuse Israel's military of inflicting starvation and destruction to ensure hundreds of thousands of Palestinians can never return to their homes.

The United States said Tuesday that Israel was not violating US law on the level of aid entering Gaza even as aid agencies said it was still not enough.