Biden administration ignored warnings of potential Gaza war crimes: Report
The Reuters news agency is reporting that the US gathered intelligence last year of Israel’s military lawyers warning that the country’s war on Gaza could amount to war crimes, but Washington continued to support its ally despite those concerns.
Citing five unnamed former US officials, Reuters said there were concerns Israel was intentionally targeting civilians and humanitarian workers in Gaza. US officials expressed alarm that Israeli operations may have breached international legal standards on acceptable collateral damage.
The intelligence prompted a debate between officials in then-President Joe Biden’s administration. But the government ultimately concluded that it was still legal for the US to continue supporting Israel with weapons and intelligence because Washington had not gathered its own evidence that Israel was violating the law of armed conflict, according to three former US officials.
A US finding that Israel was committing war crimes would have required the country, under US law, to block future arms shipments and end intelligence sharing with Israel.
Genocide Joe aka The butcher of Gaza.
Istanbul prosecutor issues arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials, including Netanyahu
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has issued arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defence Minister Israel Katz, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Turkish media outlets are reporting.
The office accused the targeted officials of committing crimes against humanity and genocide in Gaza.
It cited systematic Israeli military attacks on civilians, hospitals, and infrastructure in the enclave since October 2023, including the killing of six-year-old Hind Rajab and the bombing of medical facilities. It also referenced Israel’s assault on the Global Sumud Flotilla, one of the largest aid missions that sought to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.
Turkiye has long been a vocal opponent of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, suspending diplomatic and trade relations with the country over the conflict.
The Istanbul prosecutor’s move follows the International Criminal Court’s decision in November 2024 to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on war crimes charges.
