An investigation by Reuters has revealed that senior Pentagon and Department of State officials within the Biden administration warned of potential Israeli war crimes during the October 7, 2023, war on Gaza. The officials exchanged emails from October 11 to 14, expressing concerns about the rising death toll in Gaza violating international law and affecting US ties to the Arab world. The officials also urged a shift in messaging from unwavering support of Israel to including sympathy for Palestinians and the need for humanitarian aid in Gaza.
The investigation highlighted internal pressure within the administration to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the accusations of complicity in potential war crimes by remaining silent on Israel’s actions against civilians. Following warnings from the International Committee of the Red Cross that Israel was close to committing war crimes by displacing civilians, officials urged the administration to intervene to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
Furthermore, concerns were raised about US weapons sales to Israel, with a State Department official recommending against expedited rifle shipments due to reports of human rights violations by Israeli police units. Despite these warnings, the US reportedly continued to send a large amount of munitions to Israel.
As the conflict in Gaza continued, with a significant number of casualties reported, the Biden administration faced criticism for its handling of the situation and its support for Israel. The revelations from the Reuters investigation shed light on the complexities and challenges faced by the US government in navigating the conflict in the Middle East.
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