12 Dem Senators Question US-Israel Evac Zone Coordination

Twelve Democratic senators, led by Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont, have sent a letter to the commander of U.S. Central Command questioning potential coordination between American forces and Israel on broad evacuation zones declared in Lebanon and Iran.

The letter, dated May 4 and addressed to Adm. Brad Cooper, argues that Israel's practice of issuing mass evacuation warnings over large areas may contravene international laws on humane warfare that the United States helped develop. Signatories include Sens. Bernie Sanders and Tammy Baldwin, both of Vermont, and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. The senators contend the zones have facilitated the permanent displacement of residents, destruction of homes and the killing of civilians who remained in place despite warnings, followed by strikes.

The correspondence seeks specific answers: whether U.S. forces coordinated military targets with Israel during the recent U.S.-Israeli war against Iran that began Feb. 28; if they provided assistance or intelligence to support the evacuation zones in Lebanon and Iran; whether Central Command approved U.S. military aid for targeting people or infrastructure within those zones; and if the U.S....