The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
The finding of 'reasonable' evidence to conclude that the U.S. ally had breached international law in its conduct of the war in Gaza...represents the strongest such statement from Biden officials.
While U.S. officials were unable to gather all the information they needed on specific strikes, 'given Israel's significant reliance on U.S.-made defense articles, it is reasonable to assess that defense articles ... have been used by Israeli security forces since October 7 in instances inconsistent with its IHL obligations or with established best practices for mitigating civilian harm,' the report said.
While Israel's military has the experience, technology and know-how to minimize harm to civilians, 'the results on the ground, including high levels of civilian casualties, raise substantial questions as to whether the IDF is using them effectively in all cases,' the report said.
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