US State Department reviewing reports of Gaza civilian harm using U.S.-supplied arms

The United States is monitoring Israel’s military activities in Gaza under a recently established program that “systematically” tracks reports of suspected civilian harm by forces using U.S.-made weapons, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

“We do seek to thoroughly assess reports of civilian harm by authorized recipients of U.S.-provided defense articles around the world, including under the Civilian Harm Incident Response Guidance, the CHIRG,” Miller said during a news briefing Tuesday.

As The Washington Post first reported in September, the CHIRG system provides a way for officials to formally investigate reports of civilian harm by partner governments suspected of using U.S.-origin arms and recommend penalties in response — including the suspension of weapons sales. The system, which was introduced before Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack and Israel’s military response in Gaza, is intended to reduce civilian collateral damage incidents.

In Tuesday’s briefing, Miller specified that the process was “not intended to function as a rapid response mechanism.” Instead, he said, the system was designed to shape future policies and to pressure U.S. military allies to follow international humanitarian law during warfare.

The Biden administration has grown increasingly frustrated with the way Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has handled the war, but has so far rejected calls to withhold military aid to Israel or impose conditions on it. In recent months, the United States has supplied Israel with millions of dollars worth of weaponry. In December, the Biden administration approved the sale of $147.5 million of artillery ammunition and gear to Israel.

On Tuesday, the Senate approved a national security bill that included $14 billion for Israel, including funds earmarked to assist with its war effort, although the bill faces uncertain prospects in the House.

LINK: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/02/14/israel-hamas-war-news-gaza-palestine/#link-3RSRQN6P5FD75BTAKQGFI675YU

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