US military and diplomatic support for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza is now accompanied by public warnings from Washington against excessive use of force. While the end of the ceasefire marks the resumption of Israel’s offensive against the Palestinian Islamist organization, key members of the Biden administration have specifically called on the Israelis to make more efforts to limit civilian casualties.
“In my meetings with the Prime Minister and senior Israeli officials, I made it clear that Israel must put in place plans for the humanitarian protection of civilians in order to minimize the number of innocent Palestinian victims,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Tel Aviv last Thursday his third visit to Israel since October 7th. “That means taking more effective measures to protect the lives of civilians, including by clearly and precisely designating areas and places in southern and central Gaza where they can be safe and out of the line of fire,” Blinken emphasized, “ “Significant displacement of civilians within the Gaza Strip must be avoided…damage to vital infrastructure such as hospitals, power plants and water systems. And that means giving civilians displaced in southern Gaza the opportunity to return to the north as soon as conditions permit. “There must be no permanent internal displacement,” the head of American diplomacy also said. “All of this can be done in a way that enables Israel to achieve its objectives… It is imperative that Israel act in accordance with international humanitarian law and the laws of war, even when confronted by a terrorist group that does neither respected.”
Also read: United States calls on Israel to spare civilians in Gaza
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