Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a report to Congress on Israeli military operations in Gaza, accusing Israel of potentially violating international humanitarian law. The report covers the period from January 1, 2023, to late April of this year. It states that U.S. weapons may have been used inconsistently with international law obligations, due to Israel’s reliance on U.S.-made defense articles. The report also notes that Israel initially did not fully cooperate with the U.S. government to maximize humanitarian aid, but efforts have improved recently.
The 50-page declassified report includes input from various State Department bureaus, the Pentagon, and the White House. It was mandated by President Biden in February and required commitments from countries receiving U.S. military aid to ensure compliance with international law. Active conflict countries, including Israel, faced a shorter deadline to submit assurances. The report, initially due on May 8, was delayed as officials finalized its conclusions. This assessment is the first of its kind conducted by the State Department.
President Biden recently announced a pause in the shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel to prevent their use in a major operation in Gaza. The White House expressed concerns about the impact on civilians in dense urban settings. Israeli forces have been conducting airstrikes in Rafah, and there are concerns about potential broader operations that could endanger civilian lives. President Biden indicated that Israel would continue to receive defensive weapons like the Iron Dome system but might withhold offensive weapons if Israel launched an assault on population centers in Rafah.
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians, mainly women and children. Democratic lawmakers and human rights organizations have accused Israel of violations of international law and urged the administration to impose penalties. The State Department is actively investigating Israel’s conduct through internal accountability mechanisms. Secretary Blinken is considering the potential suspension of military aid under the Leahy Law to an IDF unit found to have committed gross human rights violations in the West Bank.
The report’s delivery to Congress was delayed due to the complexity of the findings and conclusions. President Biden’s decision to pause arms shipments to Israel reflects concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza. The U.S. government is closely monitoring the situation in Rafah and has urged Israel to avoid operations that could harm civilians. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has raised questions about compliance with international humanitarian law and the need for accountability for potential violations.
