The US accuses five Israeli military units of human rights violations

It is the first time the US has come to such a conclusion about Israeli forces. This has not, however, prevented the units from receiving military support from the United States.

Four of the five units are said to have sorted out the situation, while Israel has sent additional information about the fifth military unit, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Vedant Patel. In the fifth case, the United States has not decided whether the improvement has been sufficient and is still in talks with Israel.

Patel would not go into more detail about which human rights violations are involved, which units were involved or which remedial measures have been taken.

The West Bank

None of the incidents referred to have taken place in the Gaza Strip, according to US authorities.

According to the American news agency AP, one unit in particular, the Netzah Yehuda battalion, which previously operated in the occupied West Bank, is in the spotlight. It is this battalion that is believed to be the fifth unit, which the US has not yet come to a conclusion about, writes Reuters.

Human rights organizations say they have reported incidents involving Israeli military units to the US State Department – including extrajudicial killings, torture and physical abuse, most of which are allegedly committed against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Sanctions

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has previously said that the US is considering introducing sanctions against units in the Israeli army that are accused of violating human rights.

Following that statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would fight sanctions imposed on Israeli military units. Politicians Benny Gantz and Yoav Gallant, both members of the Israeli war cabinet, have since held talks with Blinken.