U.S. State Department Under Scrutiny: Civilian Harm in Gaza Unaddressed

The U.S. State Department has identified nearly 500 potential cases of civilian harm in Gaza tied to American-supplied weapons since October 2023 but has taken little action. Sources suggest these might breach international humanitarian law, and the formal mechanism for handling such cases within the State Department has yet to reach an actionable stage.

The U.S. State Department is facing criticism as it identifies nearly 500 potential civilian harm incidents in Gaza involving American-supplied weapons but has yet to address them, according to inside sources.

These cases, documented since the war's start on October 7, 2023, might contravene international humanitarian law. The State Department utilizes a structured process for these reports, collecting data from various media, civil societies, and foreign sources.

Despite recent scrutiny, none of these cases have progressed to actionable measures, such as collaborating with Israel for harm mitigation or reconsidering arms export licenses. Calls for more rigorous U.S. investigation into Israeli military actions persist amid high civilian casualties in Gaza.

(With inputs from agencies.)