Trendpills
A declassified U.S. intelligence assessment has found that legal advisors within the Israeli military privately warned commanders that there was evidence of potential violations of the laws of war during operations in the Gaza Strip. This revelation adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing international scrutiny of the conflict and the United States' role as Israel's primary military backer.
The intelligence report, which was recently made public, highlights internal concerns within the Israel Defense Forces about its conduct in Gaza, even as Israeli officials have publicly maintained that their operations comply with international law. These internal warnings stand in contrast to public-facing statements and add weight to allegations from international bodies and non-governmental organizations about the extensive civilian harm caused by the military campaign.
The Biden administration has faced significant pressure over its continued supply of weapons to Israel. Earlier this year, the State Department issued a report stating it was "reasonable to assess" that Israel's use of U.S.-supplied weapons may have been inconsistent with international humanitarian law, but stopped short of a definitive conclusion, citing a lack of complete information. Meanwhile, internal dissent has been reported within the State Department, with some officials arguing the administration has not adequately addressed potential human rights violations and struggled to reconcile its findings with continued arms supplies.
The humanitarian crisis, including the widespread displacement of Palestinians from their homes, has been extensively documented by human rights organizations, which have called for an immediate halt to arms transfers. UN experts have also urged countries to stop exporting weapons to Israel, warning of complicity in alleged violations of international law. The latest intelligence findings are likely to intensify these calls and fuel further debate within the U.S. Congress, which holds oversight responsibilities for foreign military assistance and adherence to U.S. laws like the Leahy Act, which bars funding to foreign military units implicated in gross human rights violations.
