The Biden administration is facing pressure to report to U.S. lawmakers on whether Israel is violating international humanitarian law or obstructing aid deliveries in Gaza. The report, due by May 8, is mandated by a National Security Memorandum issued by President Biden in February.
Despite the looming deadline, the administration has informed congressional committees that it will not make the cutoff date but hopes to present its findings within days. This delay has not been linked to political concerns, according to two congressional aides.
There are growing concerns about the use of U.S.-supplied weapons by Israel in the conflict with Gaza. Some senior U.S. officials do not find Israel’s assurances credible, prompting calls from lawmakers for the Biden administration to ensure the report is based on facts and law.
Protests across the U.S. have demanded that universities and Biden withdraw support for Israel, including sending weaponry. In response, Biden’s administration has reportedly held up certain arms shipments to Israel, seen as a political message to the U.S. ally.
The report deadline coincides with fears of famine in Gaza and calls for Israel to refrain from a major offensive against Rafah, a city in Gaza that is home to more than one million displaced Palestinian civilians. The situation remains tense as the administration works to complete the report and address the humanitarian crisis in the region.