Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant speaks during a joint statement with his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, on March 9, 2023, in Lod, Israel. The State Department has received Israel’s required written assurances, ahead of a Sunday deadline, that its use of U.S-supplied defense equipment does not violate international humanitarian or U.S. human rights law, according to U.S. and Israeli officials.
A team of senior Israeli officials is due in Washington early next week, at Biden’s request, to discuss the ongoing offensive. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video address to the nation Wednesday, said he told Biden in a Monday phone call that it was “impossible” for Israel to prevail in its war against Hamas without entering Rafah, and he has already approved the military’s operational plan.Israel has long been the largest recipient of U.S.
In recent weeks, members of Congress including Sens. Chris Van Hollen , Elizabeth Warren , Jeff Merkley and Bernie Sanders have called on the administration to withhold military assistance if Israel does not allow more assistance to civilians in Gaza. While the memorandum applies to more than 70 countries receiving U.S. weaponry, more restrictive reporting requirements are placed on seven countries currently involved in armed conflict, including both Israel and Ukraine. Each was given an initial 45 days for a senior official to provide “credible and reliable written assurances” that it will use U.S. defenseThe law of war imposes specific requirements on targeting, protection of civilians and treatment of prisoners.