- Gaza civilian casualties “exceedingly high,” says Israeli counterpart
- US refrains from vetoing UN ceasefire resolution
- US committed to supplying Israel with military hardware
The Israeli counterpart to US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin stated that the number of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip is “exceedingly high.” This statement was made one day after the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution urging a cessation of hostilities in the Palestinian enclave embroiled in conflict.
Austin stated at the outset of a Tuesday meeting with Gallant in Washington, DC, that humanitarian aid to Gaza continues to be “grossly inadequate.”
The Pentagon chief stated, “Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe, and the situation is getting even worse.”
“Additionally, to prevent famine, we require immediate increases in aid; our efforts to establish a temporary humanitarian corridor by sea will be of assistance, but expanding aid deliveries by land remains the key.”
Threats have been issued that the Palestinian territory is approaching “famine-like conditions” due to Israel’s obstruction of vital humanitarian aid entering Gaza.
Monday’s United Nations Security Council vote in favour of a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, where over 32,000 Palestinians have been slain since Israel began its military offensive in early October, coincided with Gallant’s visit to the capital of the United States.
The United States refrained from exercising its veto power in that ceasefire vote and instead abstained. According to specialists, this action underscored President Joe Biden’s discontent with the Israeli leadership, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu criticised the Biden administration for failing to obstruct the measure and vetoed an Israeli government delegation’s scheduled visit to the United States.
According to media agencies in the United States and Israel, Gallant was reportedly en route to Washington to request additional expedited weapon shipments.
In his meeting with Austin on Tuesday, the Israeli minister of defence stated that he intended to discuss US-Israel cooperation to “ensure Israel’s military edge and capabilities.”
Despite heightened censure regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza, United States officials have emphasised their ongoing commitment to supplying Israel with the necessary military hardware.
The United States Department of State announced on Monday that Israel has provided “credible” assurances that the utilisation of American armaments does not contravene international humanitarian law.
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It infuriated Palestinian rights activists, who have accused Israel of genocide and widespread human rights violations during the conflict.
Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the State Department, informed reporters on Tuesday that the Biden administration had not yet reached a definitive conclusion regarding whether or not Israel violated international humanitarian law in Gaza.
Miller stated, “However, these are processes that are extremely ongoing.”
He further stated that by May 8, the administration is obligated to provide Congress with a report that adheres to a US national security memorandum regarding the utilisation of American-supplied weaponry by nations, including Israel.
