American report on arms shipment criticizes their use by Israel, without calling into question deliveries
The United States criticized Israel’s use of American weapons in the Gaza Strip but without suspending their shipment, failing to conclude that the Israeli army violated international humanitarian law, according to a long-awaited report from the Department of Defense. ‘State broadcast Friday.
“The nature of the conflict in Gaza makes it difficult to assess or draw conclusions about individual incidents”notes the report sent to Congress. “Nevertheless, given Israel’s significant reliance on U.S.-made defense items, it is reasonable to estimate that defense items (…) have been used by Israeli security forces since October 7 in cases inconsistent with its obligations under international humanitarian law”the report continues.
However, despite some “serious concerns”countries receiving American military aid have given “guarantees sufficiently credible and reliable to enable continued supply” weapons, concludes the report, the release of which was delayed for several days due to debates within the State Department.
It comes shortly after President Joe Biden publicly threatened to suspend the delivery of certain categories of weapons if Israel launches a major offensive in the crowded town of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, which he opposes .
The American president himself had mandated the State Department last February to examine whether the use by countries engaged in an active conflict and benefiting from American military aid, including Israel, complied with American law. In addition to Israel, the report covers six other countries receiving US military aid: Colombia, Iraq, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia and Ukraine.
This assessment does not, however, call into question the United States’ decision to suspend delivery last week of a shipment of munitions and bombs intended for Israel, for fear that they would be used in the Rafah offensive.
A second part of the report concerns humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip, on the verge of famine after seven months of war. The report estimates that Israel, by “his actions or inaction”contributed to the ongoing humanitarian disaster, but does not conclude that the Israeli authorities deliberately “prohibited or restricted” the delivery and transportation of this aid.