Palestinian families took legal action against the U.S. State Department on Tuesday, filing a lawsuit over the American government’s backing of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The conflict has led to a high death toll and a severe humanitarian crisis, according to documents submitted to the court.
The lawsuit was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, claiming that the State Department, under the leadership of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has intentionally sidestepped a U.S. human rights law. This maneuver allegedly allows the continued funding and support of Israeli military units implicated in alleged atrocities in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Under the Leahy Laws, it is prohibited to provide U.S. military aid to individuals or security forces accused of grave human rights violations who have not faced accountability. Both South Africa in the World Court and Amnesty International have accused Israel of actions amounting to genocide and war crimes, although Israel has refuted these allegations.
Despite ongoing criticism from human rights organizations, Washington has maintained its support for Israel without implementing significant policy changes. The lawsuit explicitly criticizes the State Department for failing to enforce the Leahy Law, especially in light of the reported increase in severe human rights abuses by Israel since the outbreak of the Gaza War on October 7, 2023.
According to the local health ministry, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 45,000 individuals. Additionally, the assault has forced almost the entirety of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents to flee their homes, leading to a dire hunger crisis in the region.
The recent escalation of violence in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict began with an attack by Palestinian Hamas militants on Israel on October 7, 2023. Reports from Israeli sources suggest that the attack resulted in the death of 1,200 individuals and the capture of approximately 250 hostages.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include five Palestinians from Gaza, the West Bank, and the United States. The primary plaintiff, identified as a teacher from Gaza, has reportedly been displaced seven times during the ongoing conflict and has endured the loss of 20 family members.
When approached for comment, the State Department declined to provide a statement and directed inquiries to the Justice Department, which did not immediately respond to requests for input.
