US withheld some intelligence from Israel in 2024 – Reuters

Reuters, citing six sources familiar with the matter, reports that in the second half of 2024, Washington temporarily suspended Israeli agencies’ direct access to a live video feed from a US drone operating over Gaza.

Israel had been using the footage to locate Hamas militants and identify the whereabouts of hostages. The suspension reportedly lasted for at least several days.

Sources also said the US restricted Israel’s use of certain American intelligence for striking high-priority military targets in the Gaza Strip. They did not specify when the decision was made.

Reasons for restrictions

According to Reuters, the measures were introduced amid growing concern within the US intelligence community over civilian casualties in Gaza and reports of harsh treatment of Palestinian detainees by Israel’s security services.

Three sources said US officials questioned whether Israel was providing sufficient assurances that American intelligence was being used in compliance with the laws of war. Under US law, such assurances are a mandatory condition for sharing classified intelligence with foreign partners.

Two Reuters sources noted that the Biden administration continued its overall policy of supporting Israel, including intelligence sharing and arms supplies. However, decisions to temporarily restrict specific intelligence flows were taken within US intelligence agencies themselves and were tactical in nature. The aim was to ensure the information was used in line with international humanitarian law.

Sources also said some restrictions may have been imposed without direct involvement from the White House.

Reuters was unable to determine the exact dates of the decisions or whether President Joe Biden was informed. The White House, the CIA, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment.

Experts say withholding battlefield intelligence from an ally is unusual and points to a degree of strain in relations. At the same time, the Israeli military spokesperson said security cooperation between the two countries continued throughout the war, without commenting on specific cases of suspended data sharing.

Israel-Hamas peace agreement

On October 8, Trump said Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first stage of a peace plan he proposed following talks in Egypt.

Two days later, a ceasefire came into effect. Israel withdrew its forces to a buffer zone around Gaza, while Palestinians began returning to their homes.

On October 13, leaders of the US, Egypt, and Türkiye signed an agreement in Sharm el-Sheikh to end the war in Gaza, acting as mediators between Israel and Hamas.

Under the deal, Hamas committed to releasing all hostages held since 2023 and returning the bodies of captives who died in captivity.

Meanwhile, in early December, reports emerged that Trump was preparing to announce a second stage of the settlement plan for Gaza, including a new governance framework for the enclave. The initiatives could be unveiled before Christmas.