Lawmakers from the U.S. Democratic Party have penned a letter to President Joe Biden, expressing their belief that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that Israel violated U.S. law by restricting the flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, devastated by war, according to Reuters.
The letter, signed by 86 Democratic members of the House of Representatives, stated that Israel’s restrictions on aid “raise doubts” about its compliance with a provision in the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act, which requires recipients of U.S.-funded weapons to abide by international humanitarian law and allow unhindered flow of American aid.
In February, Biden issued a national security memorandum requiring written assurances after Democratic lawmakers began questioning Israel’s adherence to international law in its operations in Gaza.
Lawmakers said the Israeli government resisted repeated U.S. requests to open enough sea and land routes to deliver aid to Gaza, citing reports that it did not allow enough food to enter to avoid famine and imposed an inspection regime and “arbitrary restrictions” on aid, hampering supplies.
“We expect the administration to ensure (Israel’s) compliance with current law and take all possible steps to prevent further humanitarian disasters in Gaza,” the lawmakers wrote.
Biden’s memorandum in February requires Secretary of State Antony Blinken to report to Congress by Wednesday on whether there are credible assurances from Israel that its use of American weapons complies with international law.
At least four offices in the State Department informed Blinken last month that they found Israeli assurances “not credible and cannot be relied upon.”
If doubts persist about Israel’s assurances, Biden has the option to “address” the situation through measures ranging from seeking new assurances to suspending U.S. arms transfers, according to the memorandum.
Israel denies violating international law and restricting aid in its war against the Hamas movement, which erupted after a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
The Gaza Health Ministry said more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing fighting for nearly seven months, which has caused massive destruction in Gaza, displaced most of the population of 2.3 million, and caused severe food and water shortages.
Cindy McCain, executive director of the UN World Food Programme, told NBC News that there is now a “widespread famine” in northern Gaza.
McCain, the widow of the late Senator John McCain, added in excerpts from an interview to be aired Sunday on the Face the Press program that she hopes to reach a ceasefire to allow more aid to be delivered more quickly.
U.S. officials say that despite steps taken by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to facilitate aid entry, quantities remain insufficient.
Lawmakers condemned Hamas’ October 7 attack in their letter to Biden, supported Israel’s right to exist, and expressed support for U.S. efforts to mediate a ceasefire and release hostages.
They noted that Israel has recently opened more aid routes and crossing points to Gaza, allowing more aid trucks to enter.
However, lawmakers expressed “serious concerns” about Israel’s behavior in the war “regarding deliberate blocking of humanitarian aid.”
They called on Biden to “make it clear to Netanyahu that if Israel continues to directly or indirectly impose restrictions” on aid entry into Gaza, the Israeli government risks eligibility for more U.S. military aid.
