The White House is in discussions with Israel and Egypt regarding secure passage for civilians in Gaza.
WASHINGTON –
According to US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, the US is discussing with Israel and Egypt the possibility of creating a safe pathway for civilians in Gaza. This comes as Israel conducts strikes on the region in response to a fatal attack by Hamas over the weekend.
“We are currently addressing this issue and holding consultations,” stated Mr. Sullivan during a press conference at the White House.
“However, the specific information is currently under discussion among the operational organizations and I am hesitant to divulge too much of it to the public at this moment,” stated Mr. Sullivan.
On Saturday, hundreds of Palestinians were killed in a violent attack carried out by the Hamas group, prompting Israel to retaliate with lethal air strikes in Gaza.
The Health Ministry of Gaza reported that approximately 900 Palestinians have died and up to 4,600 have been injured due to air strikes by Israel since Saturday. The blockaded enclave, which measures 40km (25 miles) in length and 10km (6 miles) in width, is inhabited by 2.3 million individuals.
The United Nations reported that over 180,000 individuals in Gaza, who are Palestinian, have been displaced from their homes. They have resided under a blockade led by Israel for 16 years, ever since Hamas took control of the area in 2007.
The Israeli embassy in Washington announced that the number of casualties from Hamas’ recent attacks has exceeded 1,000. Washington and its major Western allies have acknowledged Israel’s right to defend itself.
When asked about the civilian casualties in Gaza during the Tuesday press briefing, Mr. Sullivan stated that the US and Israel do not intentionally aim for civilians.
“We are committed to ensuring that our military actions are in accordance with the principles of justice and the rules of war,” he stated.
According to Palestinians in Gaza, the excessive Israeli bombing has caused immense damage and is reminiscent of the “Nakba,” a term in Arabic that describes the catastrophic events of the 1948 war and the resulting displacement of Palestinians during the creation of Israel.