US Reviewing Reports of Civilian Harm by Israel, According to State Department – Reuters

By Humeyra Pamuk and Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON – The United States is currently evaluating reports of civilian casualties resulting from Israel’s military actions in Gaza, under guidelines designed to ensure that nations receiving U.S. military support adhere to international humanitarian law, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

The Biden administration has been criticized for its ongoing arms supplies to Israel amidst increasing allegations that U.S.-made weapons have contributed to civilian deaths and injuries during the conflict.

Miller stated during a press briefing, "We do seek to thoroughly assess reports of civilian harm by authorized recipients of U.S.-provided defense articles around the world." He noted that the State Department’s Civilian Harm Incident Response Guidance (CHIRG) is being utilized to evaluate incidents related to the ongoing conflict.

Established in August of the previous year, CHIRG comes in the wake of a devastating attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which resulted in significant casualties and hostages in southern Israel on October 7. In the aftermath, Israel’s military response has reportedly resulted in over 28,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 68,000 injuries, according to health officials in Gaza.

The CHIRG process involves investigating specific cases where civilians may have been harmed by U.S. weapons. While Miller did not disclose the timeline for starting this process or the number of incidents under review, a source familiar with the situation indicated that the department is examining at least 50 reports of civilian harm.

"The process is not intended to function as a rapid response mechanism," Miller explained. "Rather, it aims to systematically assess civilian harm incidents and develop appropriate policy responses to minimize the recurrence of such incidents and encourage partners to conduct military operations in alignment with international humanitarian law."

This process is distinct from assessments the State Department may undertake to determine whether serious violations, including crimes against humanity, have occurred in a conflict.

It has been reported that Washington has established a communication channel to seek explanations from Israel concerning incidents involving civilian casualties or the targeting of civilian facilities. Thus far, U.S. officials have not clarified whether any negative findings could lead to restrictions on military assistance or other actions if Israel were found to be at fault.

Last week, President Joe Biden issued a new national security memorandum requiring countries receiving U.S. security assistance to guarantee compliance with international law and to ensure unhindered access for aid during conflicts. The memorandum also mandates that the State and Defense Departments report to Congress on whether U.S.-provided weapons have been used in ways that violate international law or established best practices aimed at preventing civilian harm.