Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, expressed his approval for Israel’s decision to implement daily humanitarian breaks in their offensive in northern Gaza. Despite this, Blinken stated that more action is required as the number of Palestinians killed is too high and too many have suffered in recent weeks. Blinken made these comments while speaking in New Delhi and addressed the ongoing fighting in northern Gaza, which began when gunmen from the group Hamas crossed the border into Israel. At least 1,200 people were reportedly killed, with about 240 hostages taken, prompting a harsh Israeli response through aerial bombings and ground offensives.
Lior Haiat, a spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs revised the death toll from Hamas’ attack, stating that 1,200 people were killed, with 200 of them likely being terrorists. Meanwhile, the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip reported over 10,800 people, including many children, killed.
The Israeli military is said to have targeted a hospital in Gaza, with the Hamas government reporting that the attack resulted in 13 deaths and numerous injuries. The hospital had been under bombardment, and other hospitals in Gaza were unable to treat patients, according to the World Health Organization.
Israel claimed it had engaged in heavy fighting near the hospital and was focused on destroying tunnels used by Hamas for attacking purposes. The Israeli army alleged that Hamas has been using hospitals to organize attacks and hide from their army, but this has been denied by Hamas authorities and doctors.
The U.N. human rights chief has called for an investigation into Israel’s actions, describing the attacks as disproportionate and indiscriminate.
Despite these events, President Biden welcomed Israel’s decision to allow daily humanitarian breaks, and Blinken stressed that more needs to be done to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need. Israel’s acceptance of daily pauses and the creation of humanitarian corridors were applauded as means to save lives and deliver assistance to the Palestinians. Israel and Hamas have been engulfed in a war, and the conflict has drawn international attention and concern, igniting discussions and diplomatic efforts around the world.
