US Says ‘Gap Remains’ Between Israel’s Intent To Protect Civilians And Results

The US has strongly criticised Israel over the conduct in the war on Hamas in south Gaza and said there was a gap between the government’s declared intentions to protect civilians and the actual casualties. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a press conference, said that it remains imperative that Israel put a ‘premium’ on civilian protection. He added, “And there does remain a gap between … the intent to protect civilians and the actual results that we’re seeing on the ground,” as reported by news agency Reuters.

Israel, however, has maintained its stance of wiping out the Hamas terror group while doing everything possible to get civilians out of harm’s way.

The statement came as US President Joe Biden had a telephonic conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the ‘critical need to protect civilians’ and separate them from Hamas including corridors that would allow them to move safely from the hostile areas. 

A release from the White House read, “The President underscored the importance of the continuous and sustained flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. He welcomed the recent Israeli decision to ensure that fuel levels will meet requisite needs but stressed that much more assistance was urgently required across the board. The President emphasized the critical need to protect civilians and to separate the civilian population from Hamas including through corridors that allow people to move safely from defined areas of hostilities.”

President Biden also expressed his deep concern for the hostages that remain in Gaza and reiterated that the ICRC must be permitted to access the remaining hostages held by Hamas terrorists.

“He noted that it was Hamas’s refusal to release young women civilian hostages that led to a breakdown in the humanitarian pause. The leaders agreed to remain deeply engaged to pursue every possible opportunity to free the remaining hostages,” the White House said. 

Arab States Demand Ceasefire At UN As War Rages

On Thursday, hundreds of Palestinians were killed, according to Gaza health ministry spokesperson Ashraf Al-Qidra. In view of all this, Arab states have now renewed their push for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. United Arab Emirates has asked for the UN Security Council to vote on Friday morning on a draft resolution, as reported by Reuters.

According to the report, the draft was amended to say both “the Palestinian and Israeli civilian populations must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law” and to “demand the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”

The US and Israel have been opposing a ceasefire as according to them it would only benefit Hamas.