The Biden administration released a report on Friday stating that Israel’s use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law. While the administration found “reasonable” evidence of breaches, they were unable to link specific U.S. weapons to individual airstrikes by Israeli forces. This assessment, the first of its kind, comes after seven months of conflict that has resulted in the deaths of nearly 35,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The report noted that Israel’s military has the capability to minimize harm to civilians but questioned the effectiveness of its actions on the ground.
International human rights groups and a panel of experts have pointed to multiple Israeli airstrikes that violated the laws of war and humanitarian law, including attacks on aid convoys, medical workers, hospitals, journalists, schools, and refugee centers. Critics argue that the civilian death toll in many strikes was disproportionate to the military targets. Israel maintains that it follows all U.S. and international laws, investigates allegations of abuse, and conducts its campaign in Gaza proportionally to the threat posed by Hamas. Republican lawmakers criticized the report, calling it politically motivated, while Democratic lawmakers expressed disappointment in the administration’s approach.
President Biden has faced increasing pressure at home and abroad over the Palestinian death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. His administration recently paused a shipment of bombs to Israel over concerns about an offensive in Rafah, a city with a large Palestinian population. Senators and activists have accused the administration of treating Israel as above the law and failing to hold it accountable for violations during the conflict. The report also raised concerns about the delivery of humanitarian aid to starving Palestinians in Gaza, highlighting Israel’s role in restricting access to food and aid.
Lawmakers who pushed for the review argued that the U.S. has a double standard in enforcing laws governing foreign military support, while critics warned that a finding against Israel could weaken its fight against Hamas and other groups. The Biden administration denied accusations of a double standard but has faced calls to cut military aid to Israel. Previous presidents have used military aid as leverage to push Israel to change its actions in the region, with Reagan and George H.W. Bush holding back weapons in the past. The administration’s report has sparked debate over the future of U.S. support for Israel and how to address violations of international law in conflicts like the one in Gaza.
