RAFAH, Palestinian Territories: The United States issued Friday a stunning criticism of Israel's use of American weapons in the Gaza war, after Israeli forces intensified operations around the southern city of Rafah, where more than a million displaced people are sheltering.

Israel's main international ally said it was 'reasonable to assess' that Israel has used weapons in ways inconsistent with international humanitarian law during the seven-month war, but said it could not reach 'conclusive findings' and stopped short of blocking shipments.