Washington affirms Israel using US weapons in compliance with international law

Israel is complying with Washington’s new national security memorandum concerning the use of American weapons during the ongoing war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza, according to the U.S. government.

The memorandum mandates compliance with international law by U.S. allies, including Israel, a standard which, according to Washington, Israel meets. Furthermore, the United States has determined that contrary to some international agencies' claims, Israel is not obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told media representatives the assurances came from a “credible high-level official who has the ability and authority to make decisions and commitments about the issues at the heart of the assurances.”

Miller noted that the conclusion regarding Israeli compliance with international law was ultimately based on Washington’s own assessment.

“These assurances are prospective, but of course, our view of them is informed by our ongoing assessments of Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza,” Miller stated during a briefing with journalists.

“We’ve had ongoing assessments of Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law. We have not found them to be in violation, either when it comes to the conduct of the war or the provision of humanitarian assistance. We view those assurances through that ongoing work we have done.”

In March, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant signed a letter reassuring the Biden administration that the IDF was using U.S. weapons in Gaza in accordance with international law.

The Biden administration has backed Israel’s right to defend itself against the Hamas terrorist organization since Oct. 7, when about 3,000 Palestinian terrorists invaded southern Israel and massacred at least 1,200 men, women and children.

However, Washington has increasingly expressed concerns regarding the growing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip amid the war.

There are growing tensions between Washington and Jerusalem concerning a potentially major Israeli operation against the bulk of the remaining Hamas forces concentrated in the southern Gazan city of Rafah. Like other Western allies, the U.S. has warned that such a military operation would threaten the security of over one million Gazan civilians.

An unnamed Israeli official recently claimed that the U.S. had slowed down its deliveries of ammunition and other critical military supplies to Israel. The official noted that U.S. military aid supplies “were coming very fast” in early October after the unprecedented Hamas massacres, but added, “We are now finding that it’s very slow.”

The Biden administration denies the claim.

Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close Netanyahu aide, recently affirmed that Israel will capture Rafah, with or without international support.

“It will happen even if Israel is forced to fight alone. Even if the entire world turns on Israel, including the United States, we’re going to fight until the battle’s won,” Dermer stated.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials have emphasized that gaining control of Rafah is essential for defeating Hamas. Israel has also stressed that it would protect and evacuate the civilian population from the battle zone.