U.S. criticism of Israel/ Gaza airstrikes response/ Israeli military and U.S./ Newslooks/ UNITED NATIONS/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations expressed frustration with Israel’s military tactics, accusing them of targeting schools and humanitarian workers in Gaza. As the Gaza conflict nears its first anniversary, the U.S. emphasized the need for Israel to protect civilians and avoid strikes on U.N. facilities. Israel, however, maintains that Hamas militants were targeted, with U.N. officials calling for an independent investigation.
U.S. Criticizes Israeli Military Tactics in Gaza Quick Looks:
- U.S. accuses Israeli military of targeting schools and U.N. humanitarian workers in Gaza.
- Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield emphasized that these incidents were “preventable.”
- Israel claims its strikes were aimed at Hamas militants hiding among civilians.
- U.N. Secretary-General calls for an independent investigation into civilian deaths.
- U.S. urges Israel to revise its military operations and ensure the protection of civilians.
U.S. Expresses Frustration with Israel Over Civilian Casualties in Gaza Strikes
Deep Look:
The United States is growing increasingly critical of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, particularly in light of recent strikes that killed civilians, including U.N. workers. At a U.N. Security Council meeting on Monday, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield voiced her concerns, accusing Israel’s military of hitting schools, humanitarian workers, and civilians in its ongoing campaign against Hamas. This marked an unusually strong rebuke from a close ally of Israel as the conflict approaches its first anniversary.
Israel has long maintained that its operations are focused on targeting Hamas militants, who often use civilians as human shields. The war began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people. In retaliation, Israel has intensified its military actions in Gaza. However, Thomas-Greenfield said many of Israel’s strikes that killed or injured U.N. personnel and humanitarian workers “were preventable.”
Her remarks came in response to an Israeli airstrike last week that hit a former school now used as a civilian shelter by the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees. The strike killed at least 18 people, including six UNRWA staffers. Israel claimed the target was a Hamas command center located within the compound and argued that some Hamas militants killed in the strike had been posing as UNRWA workers. Israel’s U.N. Ambassador, Danny Danon, specifically named four individuals he claimed were involved with Hamas.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an independent investigation into the strike, further amplifying international calls for accountability.
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield reiterated the U.S. demand for Israel to ensure the protection of humanitarian workers and civilians. She stressed that humanitarian operations in Gaza, which depend on safe conditions, must be prioritized, and that Israel’s actions need to be more aligned with these principles. “We have also been unequivocal in communicating to Israel that there is no basis — absolutely none — for its forces to be opening fire on clearly marked U.N. vehicles as recently occurred on numerous occasions,” she added.
The U.S. also expressed outrage over the death of Turkish American activist Aysenur Eygi, who was shot and killed by Israeli forces during a protest in the West Bank. While Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed the shooting was accidental, the incident has fueled further U.S. frustration, with Thomas-Greenfield urging Israel to take greater care in its military actions.
In addition to Israel’s actions, the U.S. also acknowledged Hamas’ use of civilian sites for military purposes. Thomas-Greenfield underscored the ongoing threat posed by Hamas militants who often take over civilian areas, further complicating the conflict.
She noted that the U.S. remains committed to mediating a cease-fire and hostage release deal in Gaza, working closely with Egypt and Qatar. “This is ultimately a question of political will,” she said, adding that difficult compromises must be made for peace to prevail.
As part of the broader diplomatic efforts, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to travel to Egypt this week for discussions on refining a proposal to present to both Israel and Hamas.
The escalating situation in Gaza has also drawn attention from U.N. humanitarian officials. Sigrid Kaag, the U.N.’s senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, described the territory as “hell on Earth,” with over 2 million people living in dire conditions. Kaag decried the lack of protection for civilians, calling it “unconscionable.”
The humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by ongoing lawlessness, Israeli evacuation orders, and operational challenges faced by aid workers. Strikes on schools, hospitals, and other civilian facilities have made delivering aid difficult, with Kaag pointing out that Israel was often notified of these locations in advance.
Despite Israeli claims that its humanitarian efforts are substantial — including the delivery of over 1 million tons of aid — Kaag countered that the needs on the ground remain vastly unmet. “It’s not about trucks. It’s about what people need,” she said. “We’re way off what people need, not only daily, but also what we would all consider a dignified human life.”
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