The Biden administration has told Israel that it must work to avoid “significant further displacement” of Palestinian civilians in southern Gaza if it renews its ground campaign aimed at eradicating the Hamas militant group, senior U.S. officials said. The administration, seeking to avoid more large-scale civilian casualties or mass displacement like that seen before the current temporary pause in the fighting, underscored to the Israelis that they must operate with far greater precision in southern Gaza than they did in the north, the officials said, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House.
Quick Read
- U.S. Direction to Israel: The Biden administration has instructed Israel to avoid significant further displacement of Palestinian civilians in southern Gaza if it resumes its ground campaign against Hamas.
- Focus on Precision: The U.S. emphasized the need for Israel to operate with greater precision in southern Gaza compared to their operations in the north, aiming to minimize civilian casualties and displacement.
- Pressure on Israel: Amidst increasing international and domestic concerns about the Palestinian death toll, the White House is exerting pressure on Israel to carefully consider the implications of its military campaign.
- Continuation of Military Operations: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that military operations will resume after the current cease-fire, which has been extended for an additional two days.
- Exchange of Hostages and Prisoners: The extension of the truce also includes continued exchanges of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.
- Role of Secretary of State Blinken: Antony Blinken will return to the Middle East in efforts to extend the cease-fire and facilitate further hostage releases.
- Biden Administration’s Stance: While supporting Israel’s goal of eliminating Hamas’ control and threat, the U.S. has expressed a growing concern for the protection of Palestinian civilians.
- Hamas’ Tactics: Israel has accused Hamas of using civilian areas for military purposes, complicating efforts to avoid civilian casualties.
- Casualty and Displacement Statistics: Over 13,300 Palestinians and more than 1,200 Israelis have been killed since the war began, with significant displacement, particularly in northern Gaza.
- Humanitarian Concerns: The Biden administration has communicated to Israel the importance of not overwhelming the already strained humanitarian support network in Gaza.
- Deconfliction of Operations: U.S. officials expect Israeli operations to be conducted in a way that minimizes conflict with humanitarian aid facilities and infrastructure.
- Public Health Crisis: The WHO has warned of a public health crisis in Gaza, with the war exacerbating conditions for epidemics among displaced Palestinians.
- Focus on Medical and Humanitarian Aid: The U.S. is emphasizing the importance of medical supplies, potable water, sanitation, and fuel to address public health concerns in Gaza.
- U.S. Military Humanitarian Aid Flights: The U.S. is dispatching military flights carrying aid to Gaza, to be delivered by the United Nations.
The Associated Press has the story:
US tells Israel any ground campaign in southern Gaza must limit further civilian displacement
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
The Biden administration has told Israel that it must work to avoid “significant further displacement” of Palestinian civilians in southern Gaza if it renews its ground campaign aimed at eradicating the Hamas militant group, senior U.S. officials said.
The administration, seeking to avoid more large-scale civilian casualties or mass displacement like that seen before the current temporary pause in the fighting, underscored to the Israelis that they must operate with far greater precision in southern Gaza than they did in the north, the officials said, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House.
Amid mounting international and domestic pressure about the rising Palestinian death toll, the White House has begun to put greater pressure on Israel that the manner of the coming campaign must be “carefully thought through,” according to one of the officials. The Israelis have been receptive when administration officials have raised these concerns, the official said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made clear that Israeli Defense Forces will eventually restart military operations after the conclusion of the current, temporary cease-fire that has allowed for an exchange of hostages taken by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The two sides agreed Monday to extend the truce for an additional two days and to continue swapping hostages for prisoners.
President Joe Biden has said he would like to see the pause — which has also allowed a surge of much-needed humanitarian aid to get into Gaza — continue as long as feasible. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return this week to the Middle East as the U.S. hopes to find a way to extend the cease-fire and get more hostages released, the State Department said Monday. It will be his third trip to the region since Israel’s war with Hamas began last month.
Still, Biden and top officials have also been clear-eyed about Israel’s desire to continue operations focused on Hamas that over the last seven weeks have largely focused on the north. They have said they support Israel’s goal of eliminating Hamas’ control over Gaza and the threat it poses to Israeli civilians, but have grown more vocal about the need to protect the lives of Palestinian civilians. Hamas has been known to seek shelter among the territory’s civilian population, and Israeli officials have released videos from northern Gaza of what they said are weapons stockpiles and firing locations placed among civilian infrastructure.
More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on Oct. 7, roughly two-thirds of them women and minors, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. More than 1,200 people have been killed on the Israeli side, mostly civilians killed in the initial attack. At least 77 soldiers have been killed in Israel’s ground offensive.
The U.S. believes roughly 2 million Palestinians are now in south and central Gaza. Biden administration officials have made clear to the Israelis that an already stretched humanitarian support network would be unable to cope with the sort of displacement that those from northern Gaza have endured in Israel’s retaliatory strikes and ground operations.
Biden administration officials have also told the Israelis they expect them to conduct operations in a way that will be “maximally deconflicted” with the operation of humanitarian aid facilities, United Nations-supported shelters and core infrastructure, including electricity and water.
The World Health Organization has warned that the war has caused a burgeoning public health crisis that is a recipe for epidemics as displaced Palestinians have been forced to take shelter in cramped homes and camps.
One administration official said vaccines are among the medical goods flowing into Gaza, but there has also been a focus on potable water supplies and sanitation to prevent outbreaks of typhoid and cholera. To that end, the White House has also pushed to get as much fuel into Gaza as possible — something the Israelis resisted, particularly in the first weeks of war, citing concerns that it would be siphoned by Hamas.
The officials said the U.S. on Tuesday would dispatch the first of three U.S. military humanitarian aid flights to northern Egypt carrying medical supplies, food aid and winter items for Gaza’s civilian population. The aid is to be delivered into Gaza by the United Nations.
