The Biden administration has indefinitely postponed the release of a report that was expected to investigate potential Israeli war crimes in Gaza, according to sources cited by Politico. This report, initially scheduled for release by the U.S. State Department, could have implications for U.S. foreign aid to Israel, especially if the investigation found violations of international humanitarian law. The U.S. Leahy Law prohibits providing military aid to foreign security forces that commit gross human rights violations.
Democratic Senator Peter Welch, a vocal critic of the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) actions in Gaza, has urged the administration to suspend aid to Israel, arguing that continued support may breach the Leahy Law. In a recent letter, which was co-signed by eight other lawmakers, Welch highlighted concerns about the inconsistent application of the Leahy Law across different administrations, particularly in relation to Israel.
A group of 88 Democratic lawmakers recently appealed to the White House to reassess U.S. aid to Israel, citing that restrictions on U.S.-backed humanitarian efforts have led to severe humanitarian crises in Gaza. They pointed to credible reports of famine in certain areas, exacerbated by Israeli policies.
In response to these issues, the White House has stated that future U.S. aid will depend on Israel implementing specific measures to mitigate civilian harm and ensure the safety of aid workers.
On the ground in Gaza, Israeli forces have taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, a critical point on the border with Egypt. According to the Palestinian health ministry, the ongoing conflict has resulted in nearly 35,000 deaths, predominantly among women and children. The United Nations has reported that humanitarian aid restrictions have led to a man-made famine, affecting approximately half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.