All articles tagged with #palestinian civilians
The U.S. State Department warns that Hamas may be planning an attack on Palestinian civilians in Gaza, potentially violating a ceasefire agreement, amid ongoing tensions and recent violence, including Hamas executions of suspected collaborators. The situation remains complex with ongoing negotiations and international efforts to maintain peace.
Over 800,000 Palestinians have evacuated Gaza City amid weakening Hamas control and expanding Israeli military operations, with the evacuation expected to reach one million. Hamas's efforts to retain civilians have largely failed, despite propaganda and intimidation, and the group continues limited civil operations while shifting tactics in response to Israeli military pressure.
The White House is considering how to respond if Israel defies President Biden's warnings against launching a military invasion of Rafah without a plan to protect Palestinian civilians. Congressional Democrats are frustrated with Israel's potential actions and are pushing for a harder line on conditioning U.S. military sales to Israel. The U.S. has set a deadline for Israel to provide assurance on the use of American weapons, and tensions between the two governments have led to calls for new elections in Israel. The situation could complicate passing a package combining aid for Ukraine and Israel, with progressives opposing funding unless conditions for Israel are met.
U.S. President Joe Biden has once again cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against military action in Rafah without a credible plan to protect Palestinian civilians, amid growing international pressure for restraint. The call also addressed ongoing hostage negotiations, with Biden pledging to work towards freeing hostages held by Hamas. Israeli forces' raid on a Gaza hospital has raised concerns over the safety of patients and displaced Palestinians, as the conflict continues to escalate, resulting in a high civilian death toll and mass displacement.
Palestinian officials accuse Israeli forces of carrying out "execution-style" killings in Gaza after the discovery of a mass grave containing at least 30 decomposing bodies, some of which were blindfolded and had their hands tied behind their backs. The discovery comes as the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 27,000, with over 66,000 injured, and more than 25,000 Palestinian children estimated to have lost one or both parents in the past four months.
Israel is accused of targeting and killing seven Palestinian civilians, including four brothers, in an air strike in the West Bank. Witnesses and a paramedic at the scene provided evidence that the men were not members of armed groups and posed no threat to Israeli forces. The Israeli army claims the strike targeted a terrorist squad, but footage does not show evidence of confrontations. The incident has raised concerns about the use of lethal force and civilian casualties in the West Bank, with UN figures showing a rise in Palestinian deaths by Israeli forces.
Images from Gaza have emerged showing Israeli soldiers detaining numerous men who were forced to strip to their underwear, kneel on the street, wear blindfolds, and pack into a military vehicle. The exact circumstances and dates of the detentions are unclear, but some of the detainees have been confirmed as civilians with no known affiliation to militant groups. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has accused the Israeli army of randomly and arbitrarily arresting Palestinian civilians, including doctors, academics, journalists, and elderly men. The Israeli Defense Forces have not responded to the images, while the Israeli media has portrayed them as the surrender of Hamas members. Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, a news network, reported that one of its correspondents and several members of his family were among those detained, and they are currently missing.
The Israeli military's onslaught on Gaza is primarily targeting Palestinian civilians, with deliberate attacks on "power targets" to pressure civilian families and cause mass destruction. The Biden administration's response has been to engage in a sham discussion about "proportionality" while the civilian death toll rises. The UN describes the situation as apocalyptic, with no safe places for people to take shelter. The Israeli government has shown little receptiveness to calls for limiting civilian casualties, and the Biden administration's advice lacks substance without real pressure. The estimated number of Palestinians killed or missing is twenty-four thousand, making it crucial for global opinion and pressure to force a cease-fire and protect Palestinian civilians.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Israel to prioritize the safety of Palestinian civilians before resuming military operations in Gaza, as negotiators from Qatar and Egypt engage in difficult talks for a new truce extension. Blinken's message aligns with the Biden administration's shifting rhetoric on the conflict, which initially supported Israel's response but has since called for compliance with international law and protection of civilians. The death toll and destruction in Gaza have drawn widespread international criticism, with over 15,000 Palestinians killed and thousands more injured. Blinken also called for accountability for settler violence and emphasized the importance of a peace process leading to a Palestinian state.
The Biden administration is urging Israel to exercise restraint in its planned offensive in southern Gaza, expressing concerns over the potential for civilian casualties, disruption of humanitarian aid, and international criticism. The administration has called for strict operational limits to protect civilians in areas such as U.N. facilities, hospitals, and schools. While Israeli officials claim to take U.S. advice seriously, they reject the need for major operational changes. The U.S. message of restraint will be reiterated by Secretary of State Antony Blinken in upcoming meetings with Israeli officials. Arab countries have warned of escalating crises if Israel intensifies its offensive, with concerns over mass displacement and potential clashes at the Gaza-Egypt border.
CNN's Jake Tapper interviews five families of American hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, asking them about Israel's killing of Palestinian civilians. The families' responses were not provided in the summary.
President Joe Biden has instructed top officials to prepare visa bans and sanctions for extremist Israeli settlers who are attacking and displacing Palestinians in the West Bank. The directive aims to show support for Palestinian civilians while defending Israel's retaliation against Hamas. The targets for reprimands are broadly defined and include those who threaten security, intimidate civilians, commit human rights abuses, or obstruct efforts for a two-state solution. The decision follows intense debate within the administration and growing pressure from Biden's party to address settler violence.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has condemned the civilian death toll in Gaza and called for more efforts to minimize harm to Palestinian civilians. While commending Israel for its military pauses and evacuation corridors, Blinken emphasized the need for additional steps to protect civilians. He reiterated the US' support for Israel's right to defend itself but expressed concern over the high number of Palestinian casualties. Blinken outlined the US' terms for a durable peace in Gaza, including no forcible displacement of Palestinians, no use of Gaza for launching attacks, and a commitment to Palestinian land governance. Concrete plans are being developed to increase humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, but implementation remains a challenge. The US continues to focus on hostage release and preventing the conflict from escalating.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in cities across the United States, including Washington, New York, Las Vegas, and San Francisco, to protest Israel's retaliation in Gaza following last month's terrorist assault by Hamas. The protests reflect a surge in U.S. support for Palestinian civilians, with a majority of Americans expressing concern about being drawn militarily into the Middle East conflict. Demonstrators called for a cease-fire, lifting of the siege, and an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. The protests included a diverse range of groups and causes connected to Palestinian politics, such as student organizations, labor unions, and antiwar campaigns.
Israeli airstrikes continue to pound the Gaza Strip, including areas previously declared as safe zones, leaving more than 2 million Palestinians trapped in the territory with nowhere to seek refuge. Overwhelmed hospitals are struggling to provide medical care with dwindling supplies and fuel shortages. The Israeli military's relentless attacks are in retaliation for a Hamas rampage in southern Israel, while Palestinian militants continue to fire rockets into Israel. Aid delivery from Egypt is being negotiated, but the situation remains dire, with many residents down to one meal a day and drinking dirty water. The Gaza Health Ministry reports thousands of casualties, and more than a million Palestinians have fled their homes. The fragile deal to get aid into Gaza through the Egypt-Gaza border remains uncertain, and the situation is further complicated by violence in the West Bank and Lebanon.