US Intelligence Reveals Israeli Military Lawyers Warned of War Crimes

US intelligence gathered evidence indicating that military lawyers within the Israeli armed forces warned there was substantial documentation supporting potential war crimes charges against Israel during its military operations in Gaza. This information, disclosed by five former US officials, indicates that the US received intelligence suggesting reservations within the Israeli military regarding the legality of their actions, contrasting sharply with Israel’s public defense of its military campaign.

The intelligence findings intensified concerns in Washington regarding Israel’s conduct in a conflict that began following the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Israeli operations have resulted in significant civilian casualties, with Gaza health officials reporting over 68,000 Palestinian deaths over the course of a two-year military campaign. US officials have raised alarms about the implications of these findings, particularly regarding allegations that Israel may have intentionally targeted civilians and humanitarian workers, actions that could constitute war crimes.

Internal US Debate on Israel’s Actions

The intelligence prompted critical discussions within the National Security Council, where officials and legal experts deliberated on the appropriate response to the revelations. A determination by the US that Israel was committing war crimes could have mandated a halt to future arms shipments and an end to intelligence-sharing arrangements with Israel. For decades, Israel’s intelligence services have collaborated closely with the US, particularly regarding developments in the Middle East.

Conversations within the Biden administration in December included representatives from various government departments, including the State Department, the Pentagon, and the White House. President Joe Biden was briefed on the situation by his national security advisers. Ultimately, the internal debate concluded when lawyers from across the US government determined that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate claims that Israel was violating the law of armed conflict, thus permitting continued US support in terms of arms and intelligence.

Concerns Raised by State Department Officials

Prior to the intelligence report, some legal experts at the State Department had already expressed concerns to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the possibility of war crimes committed by Israel. According to five former officials, these discussions indicated a growing apprehension about the legality of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Blinken remarked that the Biden administration regularly reviewed Israel’s compliance with the laws of armed conflict as well as relevant US laws. Blinken declined to comment specifically on the intelligence matters.

In November 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense chief, and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the ongoing Gaza conflict. The issuance of these warrants underscores the international scrutiny facing both Israeli and Hamas leaders amid escalating violence in the region.

As the situation in Gaza continues to evolve, the implications of the US intelligence findings could influence future diplomatic and military relations between the United States and Israel, as well as the broader international response to the ongoing conflict.