An Israeli soldier walks past a truck carrying a self-propelled cannon at a gas station in southern Israel. (File photo)

New York, August 23 (RHC)-- Legal experts have warned that countries responsible for oil and fuel shipments to Israel could be complicit in war crimes the regime has committed in the besieged Gaza Strip.

New research commissioned by the non-profit Oil Change International (OCI) revealed “continued and expanded oil supply fueling Israel’s ongoing genocide” in Gaza.  The research tracks dozens of oil and fuel shipments that could have assisted Israel in its campaign of genocide in Gaza.

Researchers analyzed shipping logs, satellite images and other open-source industry data to track 65 oil and fuel shipments to Israel between October 21, 2023 and July 12.  OCI researchers found that collectively these countries had supplied 4.1 million tonnes of crude oil to Israel since October.

The research also found that virtually 80 percent of US exports of jet fuel, diesel and other refined petroleum products to Israel were shipped after the January order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Israel stop its genocidal acts.

Azerbaijan remains Israel’s leading supplier of crude oil. But Italy, Albania and Greece have also supplied unrefined oil to the regime.

The report also found an increase in African supplies. Gabon remains the primary crude oil supplier to Israel, but shipments are now also arriving from Nigeria and Congo-Brazzaville.

Brazil has been responsible for 9 percent of crude oil shipments to Israel since October. It sent a tanker of fuel to Israel in April.  The report noted that Brazilian President Ignacio Lula da Silva, who has been sharply critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza, could push for a ceasefire by imposing an oil embargo.  

UN and other international law experts have called for an energy embargo to prevent further human rights violations against the Palestinian people

Elsewhere in the report, the OCI analysis outlined the role of corporations in supplying fuel to Israel since the ICJ ruling.

The report found that only six major international fossil-fuel companies – BP, Chevron, Eni, ExxonMobil, Shell and TotalEnergies – could be responsible for 35 percent of crude oil supplied to Israel since October.  Israel relies heavily on these shipments to power its fighter jets, tanks and military vehicles.

The U.S. is the biggest supplier of fuel and weapons to Israel.  Its policy has remained intact since the ICJ ruling, according to the White House.

About 96% (2.15 million) Palestinians are facing crisis levels of hunger, with food sources destroyed by Israel attacks and humanitarian aid severely curtailed.