A recent report from the Biden administration has found that Israeli forces likely used US-supplied weapons in a manner inconsistent with international law during their military campaign in Gaza. While the report did not identify violations that would lead to a cessation of military aid to Israel, it did express concerns about how US weapons were used.
The Biden administration had issued a national security memorandum in February requiring countries receiving military aid, including Israel, to provide assurances that US-supplied weapons were used in compliance with international law. The report released last Friday was a result of this memorandum, stating that US weapons may have been used in ways inconsistent with international humanitarian law.
The report also acknowledged limitations in the information provided by Israel, making it difficult to fully assess the situation on the ground. It noted that Israel’s actions may have delayed aid delivery to Gaza, but could not definitively say that the Israeli government was restricting aid in violation of US law.
Progressive lawmakers criticized the report for not holding Israel accountable, while Republicans claimed it undermined Israel’s campaign against Hamas. Despite US intelligence agencies not finding direct evidence of Israel intentionally targeting civilians, they suggested that Israel could do more to prevent civilian harm.
The report also highlighted ongoing concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where access to food, water, and electricity is severely limited. While the US pledged to monitor the situation and respond to challenges in aid delivery, the report raised questions about the use of US weapons by Israeli forces and their compliance with international law.
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