US is concern over Civilian Toll in Gaza, set to Address Ceasefire Appeal

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly criticized Israel’s actions.
• He expressed concern that there is a noticeable gap between the Israeli statement for protecting civilians.
• More than 17,170 Palestinians have lost their lives, and 46,000 have been injured.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly criticized Israel’s actions in the conflict with Hamas in southern Gaza. He expressed concern that there is a noticeable gap between the Israeli government’s stated goal of protecting civilians and the actual number of civilian casualties.

“As we stand here almost a week into this campaign into the south… it remains imperative that Israel put a premium on civilian protection,” Blinken told a press conference after meeting British Foreign Secretary David Cameron in Washington on Thursday.

“And there does remain a gap between… the intent to protect civilians and the actual results that we’re seeing on the ground.”

Israel states that it aims to eliminate the Hamas militant group following an attack on Israel two months ago. The country asserts that it is taking all possible measures to ensure the safety of civilians, including providing warnings about military operations to evacuate them from harm’s way.

US President Joe Biden spoke separately by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jordan’s King Abdullah on Thursday. Biden “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,” the White House said.

Since October 7, when Israel started bombing Gaza in response to a cross-border incident involving Iran-backed Hamas militants, more than 17,170 Palestinians have lost their lives, and 46,000 have been injured, according to the Gaza health ministry.

According to Israel, this was prompted by a Hamas attack that resulted in 1,200 deaths and 240 people being taken hostage. Additionally, the Israeli military reported that 92 of its soldiers were killed in the Gaza fighting since the ground incursions began on October 20.

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