The U.S. faces mounting pressure to halt its support for Israel in the wake of a tragic school attack in Gaza.
In the wake of a devastating Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of over 100 Palestinians, there is mounting pressure on the United States to reconsider its unwavering support for Israel, particularly in terms of military aid and weapons transfers. The attack, which took place at al-Tabin school in Gaza City, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for an immediate halt to U.S. arms shipments to Israel, as advocates argue these weapons are fueling atrocities in the region.
On August 10, 2024, Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that more than 100 Palestinians were killed and dozens more injured when Israeli forces targeted the school, which had been serving as a shelter for displaced people amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The incident has drawn harsh criticism from global rights groups and raised serious questions about the ethical implications of U.S. military assistance to Israel.
International Outcry and Domestic Pressure
The attack has intensified calls from rights advocates and public figures in the U.S. to end the supply of weapons to Israel. James Zogby, co-founder and president of the Arab American Institute, voiced his frustration on social media, stating, "The U.S. & allies are claiming a ceasefire is near. But all Palestinians see is more death, dislocation, & despair. The genocide continues... Why are we still sending Israel weapons?”
This sentiment is echoed by a growing number of voices urging President Joe Biden to reconsider U.S. military support, especially in light of reports that U.S.-made bombs, specifically a GBU-39 small-diameter bomb, were used in the al-Tabin school attack. Although Al Jazeera could not immediately verify this claim, the implications of such reports are significant, particularly given the public’s increasing scrutiny of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
The Human Toll and Diplomatic Consequences
The Gaza City school strike has been described as one of the deadliest attacks in recent months, with eyewitnesses and paramedics recounting the horrific scene of "bodies ripped to pieces." Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary, reporting from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, noted that the victims were praying when the airstrikes occurred, leaving survivors in shock and disbelief at the scale of the devastation.
Despite Israel’s claims that Hamas fighters were operating from within the school, there has been no concrete evidence provided to support these allegations. Meanwhile, U.S. officials, including National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett, have called for a ceasefire and measures to minimize civilian casualties. Still, critics argue that these statements are insufficient without concrete action to curb the flow of U.S. arms to Israel.
A Renewed Push for Policy Change
In response to the attack, rights groups and advocates are ramping up their efforts to pressure the Biden administration into halting military aid to Israel. Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of Democracy for the Arab World Now, criticized the ongoing arms sales as “Pavlovian conditioning for a feral army,” underscoring the ethical dilemma posed by continued U.S. support for Israel amidst widespread human rights violations.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also issued a strong statement, urging President Biden to "respond to this act of state terrorism by immediately stopping the flow of weapons to the Israeli government." CAIR’s message reflects a broader call for accountability, demanding that the U.S. no longer rely on Israel to investigate itself and instead take decisive steps to prevent further civilian casualties.
A Test of U.S. Foreign Policy
The incident at al-Tabin school, coupled with the Biden administration's recent approval of a $3.5 billion military aid package to Israel, has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including former Israeli government adviser Daniel Levy. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Levy highlighted what he described as the "dishonesty and duplicity of the U.S. administration," arguing that Washington's actions reflect not just weakness, but an "ideological alignment" with the policies of Zionist extremism.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the pressure on the Biden administration to reassess its relationship with Israel is likely to intensify. Whether this latest tragedy will lead to a meaningful shift in U.S. policy remains to be seen, but the growing chorus of voices demanding change suggests that the status quo may no longer be sustainable.