Israel's use of weapons violated international law: US
Published: 05:05 AM,May 11,2024 | EDITED : 09:05 AM,May 11,2024
Smoke rises above a building in the aftermath of Israeli bombardment in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
The Biden administration on Friday said Israel's use of US-supplied weapons may have violated international humanitarian law during its military operation in Gaza, in its strongest criticism to date of Israel.
The conclusion came in a State Department report to Congress required under a new National Security Memorandum (NSM) that President Joe Biden issued in early February.
The findings risk further souring ties with Israel at a time when the allies are increasingly at odds over Israel's plans to strike Rafah, a move Washington has repeatedly warned against.
Biden has already put a hold on one package of arms in a major policy shift and said the US was reviewing others.
The State Department's report included contradictions: It listed numerous credible reports of civilian harm and said Israel did not at first cooperate with Washington to boost humanitarian assistance to the enclave. civilian harm may have been excessive relative to the reported military objective.
The conclusion came in a State Department report to Congress required under a new National Security Memorandum (NSM) that President Joe Biden issued in early February.
The findings risk further souring ties with Israel at a time when the allies are increasingly at odds over Israel's plans to strike Rafah, a move Washington has repeatedly warned against.
Biden has already put a hold on one package of arms in a major policy shift and said the US was reviewing others.
The State Department's report included contradictions: It listed numerous credible reports of civilian harm and said Israel did not at first cooperate with Washington to boost humanitarian assistance to the enclave. civilian harm may have been excessive relative to the reported military objective.