According to a senior official from the Biden administration, the true death toll of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip may be significantly higher than the 10,000 reported by the health ministry due to Israel’s conflict with Hamas.
At a House panel on Wednesday, Barbara Leaf, the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, suggested that the actual number of casualties could be “higher than is being cited,” despite doubts from President Biden and Israel’s Congressional supporters about the Gaza Health Ministry’s accuracy under Hamas’s control.
Leaf admitted that the ministry fails to distinguish between civilians and Hamas fighters in its tally, but emphasized the toll of Israel’s military actions and Hamas’s use of human shields, stating, “We think they’re very high, frankly, and it could be that they’re even higher than are being cited” as the conflict continues.
Biden’s administration has refrained from pressuring Israel for a cease-fire, instead seeking humanitarian pauses that would allow recovery of hostages and delivery of aid, and promoting international humanitarian law. Leaf called for caution in calling for a cease-fire amidst concerns of Hamas’s control of hostages and military capability.
At the hearing, it was noted that Hamas has repeatedly hindered efforts to free hostages and bring humanitarian aid to Gaza, with the military leader signaling no intent to respect a cease-fire. Dana Stroul, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, voiced expectations for Israel to operate within international humanitarian law while addressing Hamas violations.
Stroul made clear the violations committed by Hamas and acknowledged documented evidence of the group using civilian structures to hide weapons and rockets, and when questioned by Rep. Michael McCaul, Leaf and Stroul confirmed that Hamas has committed war crimes and violated international humanitarian laws.
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