Pentagon Chief Claims U.S. Sees ‘No Evidence’ Israel Is Committing Genocide In Gaza

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin maintained on Tuesday that the U.S. government has not seen “any evidence of genocide” being committed in Gaza by Israel, as the White House faces growing pressure over its continued support for an Israeli military offensive that’s killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Austin appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee during a budget hearing, where he argued in favor of a $850 billion foreign aid package that would allow the U.S. to spend more on military aid for Israel, as well as for Ukraine and other allies.

The secretary’s testimony was interrupted multiple times by pro-Palestinian protesters, who accused Israel of committing a genocide in Gaza and Austin of greenlighting it.

In response to the protesters, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) asked Austin if he believed Israel is committing genocide in the Palestinian territory.

“We don’t have any evidence of genocide being [committed],” the secretary answered.

“So that’s a no. Israel is not committing genocide in Gaza?” Cotton asked, to which Austin repeated: “We don’t have evidence of that.” The senator agreed with his answer.

The Israeli military offensive started after Hamas attacked the country on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 Israelis and taking roughly 250 hostage. About half of those hostages were released during a temporary pause in fighting several months ago, and a few dozen of the remaining prisoners are believed to be dead.

In the past six months, Israeli forces have responded by killing, displacing, torturing and imprisoning Palestinians in Gaza – including journalists, doctors and artists. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 33,300 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children. Almost 76,000