The Biden Administration Could Potentially Miss the Deadline for Gaza Report

The Biden administration is facing potential delays in delivering a report to Congress by Wednesday, which outlines its assessment of Israeli actions during its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

This report evaluates whether Israel has breached international humanitarian law or impeded the distribution of humanitarian aid.

Mandated by a national security memorandum issued by President Joe Biden in February, the report may restrict U.S. arms transfers to Israel, as reported by The Hill.

Biden’s memo was issued in response to pressure from Senate Democrats to hold Israel accountable for allegations of violating international humanitarian law during the war.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller mentioned on Tuesday that the report is still incomplete and the administration is striving to deliver it to Congress at the soonest opportunity.

“We are making every effort to meet that deadline. It’s important to note that this is a self-imposed deadline, not one outlined in statute. Nevertheless, we are working diligently to complete the report,” Miller stated during the State Department briefing on Tuesday. “This is a complex report.

“This is the first time the department is undertaking such an assessment, evaluating the two key questions highlighted in the report. The work is ongoing, and while we are aware of the looming deadline, we are committed to meeting it by tomorrow [Wednesday].”

Federal law necessitates the U.S. to evaluate foreign governments that receive U.S.-manufactured weapons and military support. If these weapons are being misused in violation of international law, consequences follow.

Miller indicated that Biden’s national security memo established a new and higher standard for these assessments.

“We are conducting ongoing assessments and have paused to review Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law as well as the distribution of humanitarian aid,” he expressed.

Reports surfaced on Tuesday night that the Biden administration had halted a munitions shipment to Israel, as reported by Jewish News Syndicate.

Axios reported that two Israeli officials disclosed the administration had put a hold on a U.S.-made ammunition shipment.