Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Year : 2, Issue : 13
In a move certain to get blowback from international actors claiming a “genocide” in Gaza, the US said on Monday that it has not found Israel to be in violation of international humanitarian law in its conduct of the war in Gaza or the provision of humanitarian assistance.
Asked about Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s letter to the US government last week stating that Israel is using American-supplied weapons in accordance with the laws of war, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed that Israel and six other countries that receive US military aid – Colombia, Iraq, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia and Ukraine – had submitted written assurances.
“In each case, these assurances were made by a credible high-level official and part of their government who has the ability and authority to make decisions and commitments about the issues at the heart of the assurances,” Miller said.
He added that the State Department will compile a report and send it to Congress by May.
A Feb. 8 memorandum signed by President Joe Biden requires countries that receive US military assistance to give Washington “credible and reliable written assurances” that the arms will be used in compliance with “international human rights law and international humanitarian law.”
Miller said: “We have not found them (Israel) to be in violation of international humanitarian law, either when it comes to the conduct of the war or when it comes to the provision of humanitarian assistance.”
The US is facing a barrage of criticism for providing military assistance to Israel despite reports of its targeting civilians – with over 32,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, killed in Gaza – and credible reports of violations of international law and American law, including the blocking of aid provided by the US.
Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.
Over the decades, Israel has by far been the largest recipient of US foreign aid.
Source: Agency
