Senior Pentagon and Department of State officials raised concerns about potential Israeli war crimes to US President Joe Biden’s administration just days after the start of the October 7, 2023, war on Gaza, according to an investigation by Reuters. Emails between officials dated between October 11 and 14 reveal internal pressure within the administration to change its messaging to include sympathy for Palestinians and allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. Bill Russo, the top public diplomacy official at the State Department, warned that the US was losing credibility among Arabic-speaking audiences by not addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Following a private phone call with the ICRC, a senior Defense Department official expressed concerns that Israel was close to committing war crimes by forcing the evacuation of one million residents in northern Gaza.
The reporting found that a US State Department official recommended denying arms to Israel due to reports of gross violations of human rights by Israeli National Police units. Despite these concerns, the US has continued to send weapons to Israel, including precision-guided missiles and large bombs. The investigation highlights the significant death toll and injuries in Gaza during the ongoing conflict, with over 41,802 Palestinians killed and 96,844 wounded. These revelations present a challenge for the Biden administration in balancing its support for Israel with addressing humanitarian concerns and potential violations of international law in the conflict.
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