Human Rights Watch issued a stern warning on Tuesday, stating that the US military's involvement alongside Israeli forces in Gaza could potentially saddle the United States with joint responsibility for war crimes. The group's report highlights deep concerns about the legality of US actions under international law.

“The direct US participation in military operations with Israeli forces means that as a matter of international law, the United States has been and currently is a party to the armed conflict in Gaza,” explained Sarah Yager, Washington director at Human Rights Watch. This involvement places the US within the ambit of a non-international armed conflict as defined by international humanitarian law, specifically under Article 3 of the Geneva Convention, which prohibits violence to life and person, including murder, mutilation, cruel treatment, and torture.

The report references the Draft Articles on State Responsibility for International Wrongful Acts, particularly Article 16, which outlines the conditions under which a state can be held responsible for aiding another state in committing an internationally wrongful act. It suggests that the US could be culpable if it provided support with knowledge of the potential for these acts.

Human Rights Watch detailed that prior to the airstrikes conducted by Israel on March 18, 2025, US officials were not only consulted but also provided actionable intelligence, sold weapons, and offered other forms of assistance to Israel. These actions, the group claims, are in direct violation of the Geneva Convention and the Draft Articles on State Responsibility.

In a controversial move in August, the US Department of State announced sanctions against members of the International Criminal Court following arrest warrants issued to Israeli leaders for war crimes in Gaza. This was shortly after the release of the 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, which notably scaled back references to various human rights abuses.

This condemnation joins a chorus of international concern over the US's role in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, urging a reassessment of its involvement and compliance with international legal standards. The full implications of the US's actions are still unfolding, as global and domestic scrutiny intensifies.

For further details, visit the Human Rights Watch report and related documents via the provided links.