U.S. Officials Raised Concerns Over Israeli Actions in Gaza Amid Warnings of War Crimes

As the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated in the immediate aftermath of Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, internal communications between U.S. officials highlighted growing concerns about the humanitarian impact of Israel’s response in Gaza. Emails dated between October 11 and 14, reviewed by Reuters, show that officials within the Pentagon and the State Department warned the White House that the Israeli actions, particularly the evacuation of over a million Palestinians from northern Gaza, could lead to allegations of war crimes.

Dana Stroul, then Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, expressed alarm in an October 13 email, describing the situation as potentially catastrophic. Stroul relayed warnings from the International Committee of the Red Cross, stressing that the mass displacement of civilians could violate international law and lead to legal consequences for Israel. Stroul’s message underscored the gravity of the situation, stating she was "chilled to the bone" by the humanitarian disaster unfolding.

These concerns were shared by senior U.S. officials, who recognized the mounting pressure on the Biden administration to navigate a delicate balance: publicly supporting Israel while addressing growing international criticism over civilian casualties in Gaza. Behind the scenes, there was significant internal debate over how to shift U.S. messaging to include empathy for the Palestinian plight while maintaining solidarity with Israel.

The Biden administration attempted to delay Israel's ground offensive in Gaza, urging Jerusalem to allow more time for humanitarian aid to reach displaced civilians. Though the ground invasion was delayed by around 10 days, U.S. officials noted that Israel’s military operational considerations likely played a larger role than diplomatic pressure in the postponement.

The emails, previously unreported, illustrate the tension within the U.S. government as it navigated its relationships in the Middle East. Senior officials worried that the rising death toll in Gaza could strain U.S. ties with Arab nations, while the ongoing violence risked a wider regional war, especially as Israel faced threats from Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in Lebanon.

Despite U.S. efforts to broker peace and provide humanitarian aid, the situation in Gaza continued to deteriorate, with much of the region left in ruins. The conflict also threatened to spill over into neighboring countries, with Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Beirut on September 28, culminating in the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader. Israel’s escalation in response to Hezbollah’s attacks on northern Israel marked a turning point, as tens of thousands of residents from northern Israel were forced to evacuate.

Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland later commented on the emails, stating that the warnings of a humanitarian disaster in Gaza were clear from the earliest days of the war. He added that valid concerns about potential violations of international standards were overshadowed by the White House’s focus on supporting Israel.

While both Israeli and Hamas leaders face allegations of war crimes in the aftermath of the conflict, the Biden administration remains under pressure from multiple sides. Pro-Israel Democrats continue to support the White House’s stance, while younger, progressive voters have voiced opposition to the administration's handling of the Palestinian crisis.

The White House defended its approach, emphasizing that the U.S. had led international efforts to ensure humanitarian aid reached Gaza, including food, water, and medical supplies. However, critics argue that Washington was slow to address the suffering of Palestinians.

As the conflict edges closer to its one-year anniversary, the possibility of a lasting peace remains elusive. U.S. officials continue to work with allies in the region, but the road to resolving the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and avoiding further escalation, remains fraught with challenges.

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