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Democrats in the US House of Representatives have raised questions about the US military’s decision to establish “many safe havens” in Lebanon, Gaza and Iran.
In a letter to Brad Cooper, the head of the US military Central Command (CENTCOM), 12 members of parliament said that the mass evacuation order “perhaps contradicts international law in which the United States has contributed to humanitarian wars”.
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The letter – which was sent on Monday and made public on Thursday – focused on Israel’s actions in Lebanon, where the Israeli army is turning the border towns that have turned them into slums.
“Declaration of war areas of escape has been used to evict people and destroy homes and towns – in violation of international law,” the parliamentarians wrote.
“Furthermore, no declaration of an evacuation zone or ‘killing zone’ absolves the Israeli and US military of any legal responsibility to determine that any person or civilian area targeted by drones, jets, and guns is a military objective.”
Signatories to the letter include prominent leaders such as Peter Welch, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Chris Van Hollen.
Chris Coons, Israel’s biggest supporter and activist, also signed on.
The Senate’s insistence confirms growing international opposition Israeli characteristics in Lebanon, including in the US, where the country enjoyed a lot of support.
Throughout its genocidal war in Gaza, Israel has used evacuation orders to clear large swaths of the territory, blowing up almost all of the displaced homes.
Critics have said the approach is comprehensive ethnic cleansing.
Israeli officials have publicly admitted that they want to recreate the same model in South Lebanon, creating a barren, uninhabitable area that could serve as a safe haven that would not require a permanent military presence.
Although the end of the war between Hezbollah and Lebanon began last month, Israel declared it a “green zone” in many Lebanese towns, while it destroyed entire areas.
Israel continues to provide transferable rules in some parts of South Lebanon even after the cessation of hostilities.
The US senators’ letter to Cooper raised a number of questions about US involvement in the deportations from Israel.
“Are the military forces under your command providing oil, intelligence, or other assistance to Israel to establish refugee camps in Lebanon and/or Iran?” it asked.
“Have you received any intelligence or intelligence reports on Israel’s military plans to evacuate large numbers of people to Lebanon and/or Iran?”
It also questioned whether the US authorized any military aid to Israel in areas where people are being displaced.
“Have everyone working under your command share intelligence with the Israeli government that can be used to help create, enforce, or target refugee camps. in Lebanon and/or Iran?” the senators wrote.
“Is there anyone you have instructed to check whether this sharing would be in violation of any intelligence sharing agreement regarding the use of any intelligence provided by the U.S. in activities that would violate international law, U.S. law and the laws of war?”
Separately, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib introduced a War Powers resolution in the House of Representatives to end any US involvement in Israel’s invasion of Lebanon.
On Thursday, Sanders said the regional war that President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have started is not just about Lebanon.
“The Israeli Defense Minister says, ‘The future of southern Lebanon will be the same as Gaza,’” Sanders wrote on X.
“2,702 people have been killed there, 1.6 million have fled their homes, and many villages have been destroyed.
Trump has been running direct talks between Lebanon and Israel, with more talks set to take place in Washington next week.
The US president also promised to “make Lebanon great again”, but did nothing to stop Israel’s aggression and its campaign of destruction there.
Since the start of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, Washington has provided its Middle East ally with more than $21bn in direct military support.
