Politico newspaper reported that the administration of US President Joe Biden It had been providing Israel with sites for humanitarian organizations in Gaza for weeks to prevent strikes against its facilities, but Israel continued to strike these sites.
The information given to the Israeli government included GPS coordinates for a number of medical facilities and information on the movements of aid groups in Gaza for at least a month, according to three people familiar with the communications. They have all been granted the right to remain anonymous, because they fear that speaking out would make it more difficult for aid organizations to work in Gaza.
However, Israel has launched operations in or near aid sites, including hospitals, destroying buildings and blocking fuel and other vital supplies.
It is unclear whether the United States has drawn up an official “no-strike” list or is providing one-time guidance, but officials helped relay coordinates for groups that provide food and medical care in Gaza, operate out of hospitals and small offices, and live in guest houses.
Among the sites provided to the Israeli government are medical facilities, including Al-Shifa Hospital, parts of which the occupation army took control of on November 15.
The American newspaper commented that the ongoing Israeli bombing of these humanitarian facilities raises more questions about whether Washington has the political influence that many in the administration want towards Israel. The gap is particularly stark given that the goal is to protect aid workers, a fundamental principle of international humanitarian law.
She referred to the testimonies of those who worked for relief organizations in the region, who said that Israel was abandoning the practices it had previously used to protect humanitarian groups.
Aid groups, especially those working in Gaza hospitals, said Israeli operations had made it nearly impossible to continue providing care to patients, including premature babies.
Politico said it was unclear whether Israel was choosing to ignore the information provided or whether the anti-confliction systems were completely incomplete. She added that both possibilities are worrying and disturbing, especially since the war has already entered its second month, and there is no end in sight.