American intelligence agencies discovered that Israeli military lawyers had internally warned about possible war crimes linked to Israel's operations in Gaza, which relied on weapons supplied by the United States. These findings, considered highly alarming, revealed that some Israeli officials privately doubted the legality of their military tactics, despite public claims of self-defence against Hamas. The intelligence was shared more broadly within the United States government only late in the Biden administration, deepening concerns about the conduct of the Israeli campaign and its impact on civilians and aid workers.

Internal debates within the United States government centered on whether Israel's actions breached international humanitarian law. Some State Department lawyers advised that Israel's conduct likely amounted to war crimes, but no formal determination was made. Ultimately, government lawyers concluded that military and intelligence assistance could continue, citing a lack of independent evidence proving violations of the laws of armed conflict. Senior officials feared that formally accusing Israel would force a suspension of aid, potentially strengthening Hamas and undermining United States influence in the region.

A United Nations commission of inquiry later found reasonable grounds to believe Israel had committed acts of genocide in Gaza, intensifying international scrutiny of Washington's support for Israel. The revelations have fueled calls for accountability and restraint amid ongoing conflict.