According to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the United States holds the belief that a greater number of civilians have been killed in Gaza compared to terrorists.
During an interview with CBS’s Margaret Brennan on “Face the Nation,” Blinken was asked if the United States holds the same view as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Brennan mentioned that Netanyahu claimed Israel had killed 14,000 terrorists and 16,000 civilians during its conflict with Hamas.
“We do have processes, procedures, rules, and regulations in place to minimize civilian harm,” Blinken stated in the interview. However, he acknowledged that the report highlights a lack of consistent application of these measures, considering the significant impact the war in Gaza has had on the civilian population.
In a recent interview, Blinken addressed the concerns raised by President Biden regarding the situation in Rafah, where a significant number of civilians have sought refuge amidst the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. Blinken stated that offensive weapons will no longer be sent to Israel if it proceeds with an invasion in Rafah. The international community, along with humanitarian aid organizations, has expressed deep concern over Israel’s actions, emphasizing the potential danger it poses to innocent civilians.
During his speech, Blinken also addressed the recent review conducted by the State Department regarding Israel’s war conduct, expressing “serious concerns” about its actions in Gaza.
In regards to the ongoing assessment, it is evident that Israel has not consistently adhered to international humanitarian law. This conclusion is based on the extensive evidence of civilian casualties, including men, women, and children, who have been affected by the crossfire. The loss of life and injuries sustained by both civilians and officers highlight the need for a thorough evaluation of Israel’s actions.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the war in Gaza has resulted in the death of over 34,000 Palestinians. It is important to note that this figure includes both combatants and militants. The conflict was ignited when Hamas militants launched an attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the hostage-taking of over 200 individuals.
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