Middle-East

[Hold] Amnesty International criticises US report on Israel's gaza operations

By Hanifa Adan | Monday, May 13, 2024

The report, which was anticipated to address whether Israel's actions violated international law, fell short of conclusive judgment, prompting criticism from human rights advocates.

Amnesty International has criticised a recently released US report regarding Israel's operations in Gaza, characterising its findings as an "international version of 'thoughts and prayers'".

The report, which was anticipated to address whether Israel's actions violated international law, fell short of conclusive judgement, prompting criticism from human rights advocates.

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The response from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken further fueled the debate, as he defended the report's stance, stating, "We don't have double standards."

Blinken emphasised that the US evaluates Israel's actions with the same scrutiny as any other nation, including the assessment of compliance with international humanitarian law.

He pointed out the complexities of the military environment, citing challenges in assessing individual incidents during warfare, especially when dealing with adversaries who intentionally embed themselves among civilians.

The report itself, released after a delay, indicated that Israeli forces likely used US-supplied weapons in a manner inconsistent with international law.

However, it refrained from identifying specific violations that would warrant the cessation of ongoing military aid to Israel.

This nuanced stance reflects the Biden administration's approach, which had previously issued a national security memorandum requiring recipient countries to provide assurances regarding the lawful use of US-supplied weapons.

The report's findings come amid continued pressure on the Biden administration to address humanitarian concerns stemming from Israel's prolonged military campaign in Gaza. Progressive lawmakers within the Democratic Party have been vocal in their calls for conditioning military aid to Israel in response to the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Despite the report's release, concerns persist over the ongoing Israeli siege on Gaza, which has severely limited access to essential resources such as food, water, and electricity. UN experts have warned of the escalating risk of genocide in the territory, amplifying calls for international intervention.

As scrutiny mounts, the Biden administration faces increasing demands to reevaluate its stance on military aid to Israel in light of humanitarian considerations. The release of the report has sparked disappointment among progressive lawmakers and activists, who see it as falling short of addressing the urgent humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza