Washington, DC – The Biden administration is scrambling to complete a crucial report for Congress this week, determining whether Israel has breached international humanitarian law during its conflict in Gaza. The outcome of this report could have significant repercussions, potentially exacerbating tensions both domestically and abroad.

Over the past few months, the report has been a source of heated debate within the Biden administration. Some offices within the State Department have expressed skepticism regarding Israel’s claims that it did not violate international law while using US weapons during the 7-month conflict in Gaza.

The report will also assess whether Israel obstructed the delivery of US humanitarian aid, coming at a critical juncture in the conflict as Israel contemplates an incursion into the city of Rafah. President Joe Biden has cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against such a move.

Despite ongoing efforts, Hamas and Israel have yet to reach a ceasefire agreement, with tensions escalating on university campuses in the United States due to pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Under pressure from congressional Democrats, Biden agreed to issue a national security memorandum in February to scrutinize Israeli conduct and the use of US weapons.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has until Wednesday to determine the credibility and reliability of Israel’s assurances. However, there are indications of a slight delay in delivering the report to Congress, as per congressional sources.

The State Department has been tight-lipped about the report’s development, only noting that a wide range of officials from the department will contribute to its preparation. Congressional sources anticipate that the report will cover the period from January 2023 onwards.

Despite not mandating a change in US policy, the report could potentially prompt such a change. Israeli officials are closely monitoring the report’s findings, concerned that it could intensify pressure on Biden to condition military aid to Israel on compliance with international law. If Israel is found to be non-compliant, it could spark a crisis within the Netanyahu government.

While Biden administration officials have raised concerns about the humanitarian impact of the conflict, they have refrained from implementing punitive measures against Israel so far. Recent reports indicate the first-known hold on military assistance to Israel, with Biden warning Netanyahu of the need to address humanitarian concerns to avoid a shift in US policy.

Various humanitarian agencies have suggested that there have been violations of international law, questioning the credibility of Israel’s assurances. Accepting such assurances could undermine US credibility, as per humanitarian officials. The implications of the report’s findings are crucial, not just for US-Israel relations but also for the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza.