Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant called on the US to withdraw its intention to sanction Netzah Yehuda, saying the world was watching the ties between the US and Israel more closely than ever.
“Any attempt to criticise an entire unit casts a heavy shadow on the actions of the IDF,” a statement from Mr Gallant read, adding “this is not the right path for partners and friends”.
On Saturday, Axios cited three US sources with knowledge of the issue as saying that Mr Blinken was expected to announce measures against Netzah Yehuda within days.
It said the move would be over alleged abuses in the West Bank, including one incident in which a Palestinian-American man, 80-year-old Omar Assad, died after being bound and gagged by Israeli soldiers during a search in the West Bank in January 2022.
At the time the US called for a “thorough criminal investigation and full accountability” in the case.
The IDF later said it regretted Mr Assad’s death and that the Netzah Yehuda commander would be “reprimanded”over it. It added that two soldiers would barred from serving in senior positions for two years, but would not be prosecuted. It said Mr Assad’s death had been caused by a pre-existing medical condition.