Alexis Blinken, the Secretary of State for the United States, stated that “far too many Palestinians have been killed” in response to the remarks of the French President.
International pressure is mounting on Israel to do more to safeguard Palestinian civilians in Gaza, including from its principal ally.
The death toll in the Gaza Strip over the past five weeks has exceeded 11,000, according to health officials on the ground.
Israel has been fighting Hamas militants since their October 7 massacre in southern Israel.
Israel initially estimated that the Hamas attack killed over 1,400 people but now estimates 1,200.
During a visit to India, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered his most forceful remarks to date regarding the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire: “In recent weeks, far too many Palestinians have been killed; far too many have suffered.
However, Mr. Blinken reaffirmed his nation’s support for Israel’s campaign to eliminate Gaza as a “platform for launching terrorism.”
It follows Emmanuel Macron’s declaration that Israel must cease its bombardment of Gaza and its killing of infants and women.
While France “clearly condemns” Hamas’ “terrorist” actions, Mr. Macron acknowledged Israel’s “right to defend itself.”
He stated, “We do urge them to cease this bombing in Gaza.”
Additionally, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared that his nation is ready to accept wounded Palestinians from Gaza. Despite reports that hospitals in the enclave are being inundated.
Later today, a pro-Palestinian march is scheduled to occur in London. This recent demonstration is the most recent in a sequence that has garnered significant media attention since Home Secretary Suella Braverman labelled them “hate marches” on account of a minority of participants chanting incendiary slogans.
Marching this weekend is further confounded by the fact that it occurs on Armistice Day.
Israel’s official response
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, stated that international leaders ought to condemn Hamas and not Israel.
Mr. Netanyahu said Hamas’ horrors in Gaza will be repeated in Paris, New York, and other places tomorrow.
Israel has stated that it protects civilians and does not target them with its assaults and that Hamas militants have concealed command centres and tunnels beneath hospital structures.
