US Secretary of State: Israel's Gaza Attack May Violate International Humanitarian Law

Blinken "Action will be taken once conclusion is reached... Need to observe investigation results"

U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken expressed a cautious stance, acknowledging the possibility that Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip may have violated international humanitarian law, while emphasizing the need to await the results of investigations.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On the 12th (local time), Secretary Blinken appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press" and said, "We treat Israel as our closest ally, and that includes the assumption that Israel complies with international humanitarian law."

Referring to the State Department report submitted to the U.S. Congress on the 10th, Blinken stated, "It is reasonable to conclude that there are cases where Israel has acted contrary to international humanitarian law," adding, "Once a clear conclusion is reached, we will take the necessary actions."

However, he noted, "This is very difficult during wartime," pointing out that Israel has also experienced similar circumstances due to the invasion by the Palestinian armed group Hamas.

Regarding President Biden’s recent announcement to halt weapons support during Israel’s attack on Rafah in southern Gaza, Blinken explained, "President Biden has clearly stated that he does not support a full-scale war in Rafah," and that for sustained victory, "we have communicated to Israel that there are better options than the Rafah attack."

On Biden’s comment that Israel has not yet crossed a "red line," Blinken said, "There has been no explicit red line set," but emphasized, "What the President meant is that if a full-scale war occurs in Rafah, he will not support Israel or provide helpful weapons."

Secretary Blinken also clarified that the U.S. is not withholding other weapons supplies to Israel beyond bombs.

In an appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation," he responded to such questions by saying, "The President has stated that weapons supplies will be halted if a full-scale war in Rafah occurs," and explained, "Currently, only bomb supplies have been withheld."

He also mentioned that the number of civilian casualties in Gaza is higher than what Israel has announced. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that 14,000 terrorists and 16,000 civilians have died due to the Gaza attacks.

When asked if he agrees that civilian casualties are higher than Netanyahu’s assessment, Blinken replied, "Yes," emphasizing, "This (State Department) report clearly shows that while Israel has processes, procedures, rules, and regulations aimed at minimizing civilian harm, the Gaza war has indeed affected civilians."

Previously, the State Department, in its report submitted to Congress, evaluated that Israel used some weapons in ways that violated international law or were not the best methods to reduce civilian harm. Nonetheless, the State Department reaffirmed its policy to continue weapons support to Israel.