The “Washington Post” has reported that the Biden Administration’s policy of arming Israel is facing intense backlash due to the rising number of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip. The report points out that in the first 45 days of the conflict, Israel dropped over 22,000 guided and unguided bombs on Gaza, which were supplied by Washington.
Increasing Pressure on Biden Administration
According to the “Washington Post,” the Biden Administration is under escalating pressure regarding its provision of powerful weapons to Israel. The growing number of casualties raises questions about whether the U.S., as Israel’s primary military supporter, should do more to ensure civilian safety.
Human rights groups, along with a growing faction within Biden’s Democratic Party, are scrutinizing the flow of arms to Israel, which has included tens of thousands of bombs since October 7th.
At the heart of the debate, as Biden seeks additional military aid worth billions of dollars for Israeli operations in Gaza, are the U.S. administration’s rules on arming foreign nations. These stipulate that arms transfers should not occur if the U.S. government assesses that violations of international law are more likely than not to happen.
Administration officials have stated that they have had intensive discussions with their Israeli counterparts to ensure they understand Tel Aviv’s obligations under international humanitarian law. However, they acknowledge that the U.S. does not conduct real-time assessments of Israel’s compliance with the laws of war.
A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, mentioned that the administration has been unable to make a concurrent assessment of Israel’s compliance, partly due to officials’ inability to access the intelligence information Israel uses to plan its operations and the intentions of Israeli leaders.
Some legal experts assert that these discussions should be followed by monitoring what happens with U.S. weapons before sending more.
Intensive Israeli Operations with Thousands of Bombs
The “Washington Post” notes that the increased focus on U.S. arms supplies comes as Israel intensifies its operations in southern Gaza.
The American newspaper highlights that U.S. weapons have played a significant role in the war; in the first month and a half, Israel dropped more than 22,000 bombs on Gaza, supplied by Washington, according to previously undisclosed intelligence figures presented to Congress.
During this time, the United States sent at least 15,000 bombs, including 2,000-pound bunker-busting bombs, and more than 50,000 155mm artillery shells.
Meanwhile, Gaza is facing a humanitarian crisis as millions seek shelter from Israeli air raids and a ground operation that has turned vast areas of the sector into ruins. The United Nations has warned of a disaster if vital supply shipments are not increased.
This situation presents a growing dilemma for Biden, who has pledged strong support for Israel’s security but has also promised to place human rights at the core of U.S. foreign policy.