US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that “far too many” Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s war on Gaza and called for civilian deaths and suffering to be minimized.
“Much more needs to be done to protect civilians and to make sure that humanitarian assistance reaches them,” the top United States diplomat told reporters in New Delhi, as he wrapped up his tour of the Middle East and Asia.
“Far too many Palestinians have been killed, far too many have suffered these past weeks, and we want to do everything possible to prevent harm to them and to maximize the assistance that gets to them.”
The US has been trying to persuade Israel to introduce longer “humanitarian pauses,” and has come up with additional proposals on how to better protect civilians, although Blinken did not elaborate on those discussions.
DIRECTOR OF AL-SHIFA: The main oxygen line was bombed, and the occupation sentenced everyone in the complex to premeditated murder. We cannot do anything for the wounded because of the lack of electricity and oxygen.
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— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) November 11, 2023
Blinken, however, reiterated Washington’s unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and support for Israel’s right to defend itself.
Israel has, thus far, killed over 11,078 – including 4,506 children and 3,027 women – and wounded 27,409. Palestinian Ministry of Health reports and international organizations say that the majority of those killed and wounded are women and children.
Despite a massive Israeli military buildup around the Gaza borders and sporadic infiltrations on the outskirts of the besieged Strip, Palestinian Resistance continues to repel Israeli attacks.
To justify its military failure, the Israeli army continues to pound civilian homes throughout the Gaza Strip with new massacres reported everywhere in the besieged enclave.
PALESTINIAN HEALTH MINISTRY MAI ALKAILA: 39 infants who were in intensive care at Al-Shifa Hospital died due to lack of oxygen.
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— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) November 11, 2023
Gaza has been under a tight Israeli military siege since 2007, following a democratic election in occupied Palestine, the results of which were rejected by Tel Aviv and Washington.
Israel has, thus far, killed over 11,078 – including 4,506 children and 3,027 women – and wounded 27,409. Palestinian Ministry of Health reports and international organizations say that the majority of those killed and wounded are women and children.
(PC, RT)
