US Shared Location of Aid Groups With Israel. Israel Bombed Them Anyway.

The information sharing covered medical facilities, including al-Shifa hospital

POLITICO reported Tuesday that the US has been sharing with Israel the location of humanitarian groups in Gaza in an attempt to prevent strikes on the sites. But Israel has been bombing them anyway.

The information has included GPS coordinates of a number of medical facilities and the movement of aid groups inside Gaza. Among the sites the US shared with Israel was al-Shifa hospital, which Israeli forces raided last week, causing the medical facility to cease functioning and the deaths of dozens of patients, including eight premature babies.

The US has tried to deflect blame for Israel’s attack on al-Shifa and other hospitals. The White House has said it doesn’t “want to see hospitals as battlegrounds,” but the US continues to provide unconditional military aid for Israel’s operations despite the massive civilian casualty rate.

The POLITICO report said it’s unclear if the US has provided Israel with a “no-strike” list or if it’s just offering guidance. Considering the White House has also said it’s not setting “red lines” for Israel’s onslaught, it’s unlikely the US is demanding certain sites are off limits.

Aid workers have said Israel has abandoned practices it has used before to prevent attacks on aid groups, such as a deconfliction line. “There is really no justification for the lack of a functioning deconfliction channel with aid groups,” a senior aid group official told POLITICO. “The IDF is familiar with deconfliction practices and has put a channel in place in previous conflicts.”

Some aid groups turned to the US last month to help protect their workers. But after the US engaged with Israel on the location of aid groups’ offices, houses, and medical facilities, the attacks continued. Israel’s frequent targeting of aid groups is demonstrated by the fact that over 100 aid workers with the UN’s Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees have been killed in Gaza since October 7.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.