Biden administration suggests Israel may have used US weapons in Gaza in violation of international law

The Biden administration has released a report stating that US weapons have been used by Israeli forces in Gaza in ways that are “inconsistent” with international humanitarian law. While the report did not officially declare Israel in violation of the law, it raised concerns about the use of US weapons by Israeli security forces.

The report, covering the period from October 7 to late April, highlighted the difficulty of assessing individual incidents in the conflict due to Hamas hiding behind civilian populations. However, it noted that Israel’s significant reliance on US-made defense articles made it reasonable to assess violations of international humanitarian law.

Despite the findings, the report did not mandate any actions against Israel, nor did it trigger any policy changes. President Biden had previously threatened to restrict weapons transfers if Israel proceeded with a major offensive in Rafah.

The release of the report has sparked criticism from lawmakers and human rights organizations. Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen expressed disappointment, accusing the administration of avoiding holding the Netanyahu government accountable for its actions. Senator Jeff Merkley called the report a “massive diplomatic dodge,” questioning the lack of definitive conclusions on the violations.

Humanitarian aid organizations also questioned the report’s findings, with Mercy Corps vice president Kate Phillips-Barrasso stating that Israel’s obstructions have made it impossible to deliver aid to the people of Gaza. The report has raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need for accountability in the use of US weapons by Israeli forces.