Title: Biden Administration Urges Israel to Minimize Civilian Deaths in Gaza Offensive
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in southern Gaza, the Biden administration is placing pressure on Israel to reduce civilian casualties. Prominent U.S. officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have publicly called on Israel to adopt a more precise and targeted approach in its offensive.
Recent reports indicate that around 900 people in Gaza have lost their lives due to Israeli airstrikes between Friday and Monday. Acknowledging the severity of the situation, the United States is actively seeking a change in tactics by Israel. However, it has ruled out withholding weapons or issuing harsh criticisms as methods to achieve this goal.
Instead, the U.S. firmly believes in its current strategy of privately negotiating with Israel, regarding it as an effective means to bring about change without jeopardizing crucial military support. Reducing military assistance to Israel is seen as carrying substantial risks, including the potential for other parties to enter the conflict and a weakened deterrence against future aggression.
Currently, the United States is providing Israel with $3.8 billion in military aid annually and has requested an additional $14 billion from Congress. However, progressive Democrats and some pro-Israel independent voters are mounting pressure on President Biden to attach conditions to military aid and support an immediate ceasefire.
While there has been no official change in U.S. support for Israel, a shift in course from the Biden administration could significantly influence Israel’s decision to wrap up its operations sooner than anticipated.
Over the eight weeks of warfare, Gaza’s health ministry reports a staggering death toll of at least 15,899 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, due to Israeli bombardments. In response, Israeli officials claim they are conducting operations in southern Gaza differently, providing more time for non-combatants to evacuate. However, they acknowledge that the complete elimination of civilian casualties is an unattainable objective.
Israel has been utilizing online grid-based maps, directing Palestinians to evacuate certain areas and guiding them towards safe zones. Nevertheless, some of these designated safe areas have also been targeted by Israeli fire.
The United States expects Israel to adhere to its commitment to avoid attacks on designated safe areas. This expectation comes in light of Amnesty International’s report, which reveals that U.S.-made munitions have caused the deaths of 43 civilians in two Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
As the conflict continues to intensify, the Biden administration is aiming to strike a delicate balance between pressuring Israel to minimize civilian deaths and maintaining the long-standing military partnership between the two nations. As the world watches closely, hopes remain for a swift and peaceful resolution to this devastating conflict.
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