Ceasefire Compliance Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 7645

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-23: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Last Updated

2026-07-03T08:06:12Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Ceasefire Compliance Act of 2026 aims to ensure that U.S.-origin defense articles (military equipment and weapons sourced from the United States) are not used in the West Bank or Gaza unless Israel meets specific conditions related to a 2025 ceasefire agreement and a U.S.-proposed 20-point peace plan. It seeks to promote compliance with the ceasefire, humanitarian aid access, and steps toward regional stability, while maintaining U.S. support for Israel's defense against threats.

Key Provisions

• Findings and Policy Statement: The bill outlines historical context, including the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, Israel's military response, the resulting humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the 2025 ceasefire and hostage release deal. It states U.S. policy to uphold the ceasefire, support humanitarian aid, facilitate alternative governance in Gaza to replace Hamas, prevent annexation or settler violence in the West Bank, and ensure U.S. defense articles comply with U.S. law.

• Rule of Construction: Clarifies that the act does not restrict U.S. actions like defending against attacks on U.S. interests, intelligence sharing, or providing defensive aid to Israel (e.g., missile defense systems like Iron Dome).

• Prohibitions on Defense Articles:
• Requires the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and Director of National Intelligence, to submit reports to Congress and publicly every 30 days initially and then every 90 days. These reports certify whether Israel complies with 10 conditions, including:
• No military operations in Gaza violating the October 10, 2025, ceasefire.
• Constructive engagement in implementing the 20-point plan.
• Unimpeded humanitarian aid entry into Gaza (e.g., food, medicine, shelter; permissions for aid groups; safe passage for workers; infrastructure repair).
• No forced civilian displacement from Gaza; freedom for civilians to leave or return.
• No permanent occupation or annexation of Gaza.
• Halt to bombardments, IDF withdrawal to agreed lines, and cooperation on transitional governance and security in Gaza (e.g., technocratic Palestinian committee, international stabilization force).
• No annexation in the West Bank and enforcement against settler violence (e.g., preventing IDF from enabling attacks).
• If non-compliance is certified, the U.S. prohibits new sales, exports, or transfers of U.S.-origin defense articles to Israel for use in the West Bank or Gaza. Existing articles must be restricted via agreements, and future transfers require end-use assurances. Prohibitions lift upon compliance certification.
• Reports are unclassified but may include classified annexes.

• End Use Monitoring Group: Establishes a group to monitor U.S.-origin defense articles in the West Bank and Gaza. During prohibitions, it reports every 60 days on usage. If misuse is found, all new transfers to Israel are halted (with a presidential waiver possible for national security reasons, requiring 15-day notice to Congress and detailed justification). This does not affect air defense funding.

• Rules on the Board of Peace: Limits U.S. funding for this entity's administrative costs unless explicitly appropriated by Congress. It cannot override UN roles or international law. Humanitarian aid for Gaza remains unaffected.

• Termination: The act expires 5 years after enactment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces new conditional restrictions on U.S. arms transfers to Israel, tying them to specific compliance with ceasefire and peace plan terms—unlike prior laws that focused more broadly on human rights or general end-use monitoring (e.g., under the Arms Export Control Act). It mandates regular certifications and public reporting, creates a dedicated monitoring group, and adds safeguards against annexation or displacement, which were not previously codified in this manner for these regions.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: U.S. departments (State, Defense, Intelligence) face increased reporting and coordination burdens for assessments and monitoring, potentially straining resources but enhancing oversight of aid.
• Citizens: Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank could benefit from enforced humanitarian access and reduced violence/settler attacks, alleviating crises like famine. Israeli civilians may see continued defensive support but potential limits on offensive capabilities in restricted areas, affecting security operations.
• International Relations: Strengthens U.S. leverage in Middle East peace efforts by conditioning aid on cooperation with the UN, Arab partners, and the 20-point plan. It could strain U.S.-Israel ties if prohibitions trigger but support broader stability by pressuring compliance and countering Hamas influence.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Government: Executive branch agencies (State, Defense, DNI) for implementation; Congress for oversight and appropriations.
• Government of Israel: Directly impacted by restrictions on U.S. arms if non-compliant; must enforce internal policies on settlers and Gaza/West Bank actions.
• Palestinians and Gaza Residents: Affected by provisions on aid, governance transitions, and displacement protections; potential for improved humanitarian conditions and security alternatives to Hamas.
• Hamas and Militants: Indirectly pressured through requirements for disarmament and ceasefire adherence.
• International Actors: UN, Arab states, and aid organizations (e.g., NGOs) gain support for stabilization efforts; the "Board of Peace" (an undefined entity, possibly a peace oversight body) faces funding limits.
• U.S. Defense Industry: May see delayed or restricted exports to Israel.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Builds on existing arms control laws by adding enforceable conditions, with certifications based on interagency assessments (including intelligence). Waivers preserve executive flexibility but require congressional notification, balancing powers.
• Constitutional: Involves Congress's authority over foreign aid and appropriations (e.g., limiting unappropriated funds for the Board of Peace), while respecting presidential foreign affairs roles through waivers. No direct constitutional challenges noted, but it could invite scrutiny over conditioning aid.
• Political: Politically sensitive as it conditions U.S. military support on Israel's internal and territorial policies, potentially influencing domestic debates on Israel aid. It promotes a two-state solution framework without mandating it, emphasizing neutrality in humanitarian principles, but may polarize views on U.S. Middle East involvement.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

Cosponsors (44)

Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Liccardo, Sam T. [D-CA-16], Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Mejia, Analilia [D-NJ-11]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-23: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• 2026-02-23: Introduced in House
• 2026-02-23: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Ceasefire Compliance Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-23 — PDF (18 pages)