This bill is called the Justice for Hind Rajab Act. It responds to an attack in Gaza City on January 29, 2024 that the bill says killed 5-year-old Hind Rajab, members of her family, and two Palestine Red Crescent paramedics. The bill directs the Secretary of State to collect information and report to Congress about the attack, including whether any weapons or parts used were provided by the United States, whether any soldiers involved were U.S. citizens, or whether any involved IDF personnel were trained by the United States. The bill also requires the Secretary of State to certify findings and, if criteria are met, to refer the matter to the Attorney General. The Attorney General must review any referral and initiate investigations or prosecutions under the War Crimes Act, as appropriate. The bill sets deadlines for those actions and asks for a detailed report to Congress. It also states the sense of Congress that Israel should compensate the families and that the State Department should provide compensation if U.S. citizens were involved. The bill includes findings about U.S. military assistance amounts, casualty counts reported in Gaza, forensic reports linking weapons and tank parts to IDF-issued systems, and references to the Leahy Laws.
If this bill becomes law, federal officials would be required to gather and report information about the January 29, 2024 attack and to check for U.S. connections to weapons, personnel, or training. The Secretary of State must produce a report to Congress within 45 days of enactment. If the Secretary determines there is credible information that the attack could be a war crime and involves U.S.-origin weapons, U.S. citizens, or U.S.-trained personnel, the Secretary would refer the matter to the Attorney General for possible prosecution. The Justice Department would review referrals and may open investigations under U.S. war crimes law. The bill also expresses that victims' families should receive compensation.
No publicly available information.
The bill’s text states a policy to collect, preserve, and analyze evidence of possible war crimes and to pursue accountability, including through Department of Justice investigations under section 2441 of title 18. It frames these actions as necessary to uphold the Geneva Conventions and to hold perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity accountable. The bill also records findings about U.S. military assistance levels and forensic links between weapons or tank parts and IDF-issued systems.
No publicly available information.