A group of Democratic senators has called on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to urgently probe claims of “hundreds” of human rights violations by Israeli military units in Gaza, according to a Wednesday report.
The Washington Post, citing a letter addressed to Rubio, reported that the lawmakers referenced a classified assessment by the State Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG).
Senators Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Jack Reed of Rhode Island led the letter, warning that delays in reviewing incidents of killing, torture and other abuses risk undermining US laws that bar security assistance to foreign military units credibly accused of such violations.
Nine additional members of the Democratic caucus also reportedly signed the request.
"Without effective enforcement mechanisms, these laws and policies become meaningless,” the senators wrote.
