The latest report from the U.S. State Department has highlighted ongoing human rights concerns in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The report points to alleged violations in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, including reports of war crimes by Israel, Hamas, and other Palestinian militant groups. Additionally, a separate independent report found no evidence to support Israel's claims of significant ties between employees of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees and militant groups.
Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva, Israeli's military intelligence chief, is stepping down and retiring due to his department's failure to anticipate the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. This resignation marks the highest-ranking leader to step down over the assault, which was preceded by several intelligence failures.
During a news conference, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed concern over Hamas' actions in hostage talks, suggesting that the group's recent behavior indicates a desire for a full-scale regional war
A mass grave containing over 200 bodies was reportedly discovered at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, according to a Gaza media office. The Washington Post could not independently verify this figure, but U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric called the reports "extremely troubling."
Tensions related to the Gaza conflict have spilled over onto U.S. college campuses, with numerous arrests at Yale and New York universities during protests against Israel's military campaign. Columbia University even canceled in-person classes due to campus protests.
The Gaza Health Ministry has reported at least 34,151 deaths and 77,084 injuries since the war began, with the majority of the casualties being women and children. Israel estimates that around 1,200 people were killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, including over 300 soldiers, and 260 soldiers have died since the military operation in Gaza began.
Despite these figures, the State Department has not indicated whether it will halt U.S. aid to elements of Israel's military over alleged human rights abuses. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the U.S. is assessing allegations of Israeli violations of international law in Gaza but acknowledged Israel's efforts to hold itself accountable, which he described as a hallmark of democracies.
A highly anticipated report released Monday found that Israel has not provided evidence to substantiate its claims of significant ties between workers at the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees and militant groups. However, the report emphasized the need for the agency, known as UNRWA, to implement more stringent vetting processes for staff to ensure neutrality and rebuild trust with donors. Former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, who led the review group, emphasized the agency's indispensable role in Gaza's humanitarian response.