The debate intensified following last week’s Israeli strike on a former school turned civilian shelter run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees…reports Asian Lite News
US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, sharply criticised the Israeli military for striking schools, humanitarian workers, and civilians in Gaza, reflecting growing American frustration as the war nears its first anniversary.
This came during a UN Security Council meeting where Thomas-Greenfield expressed concern over recent attacks that injured or killed UN personnel and humanitarian workers, describing many of these incidents as “preventable”, Associated Press reported.
The debate intensified following last week’s Israeli strike on a former school turned civilian shelter run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), which resulted in the deaths of six UNRWA staff members and at least 18 other individuals, including women and children.
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Israel claimed the strike targeted a Hamas command-and-control center, with Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon asserting that Hamas militants, who were allegedly involved with UNRWA by day and Hamas by night, were killed. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has called for an independent investigation into the incident.
Thomas-Greenfield emphasized that the US will continue to pressure Israel to facilitate humanitarian operations in Palestinian territories and protect humanitarian workers and facilities. She also reiterated US outrage over the recent killing of Turkish American activist Aysenur Eygi during a West Bank protest, which Israeli Defense Forces attributed to a likely mistake and are investigating.
The US envoy called for “fundamental changes” in Israeli military operations to avoid conflicts with humanitarian activities and to prevent attacks on civilian facilities. She criticized the targeting of clearly marked UN vehicles and stressed the need for changes in rules of engagement.
Despite the criticism, Thomas-Greenfield acknowledged that Hamas also poses a threat by using civilian sites for its activities, highlighting the urgency for a ceasefire and hostage release deal. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Egypt this week to discuss refining a proposal for Israel and Hamas, aiming to resolve the conflict.
UN humanitarian official Sigrid Kaag described Gaza as a “hell on Earth” for its 2 million residents, citing severe impediments to humanitarian operations due to lawlessness, evacuation orders, and access issues.
She criticised the gap between aid needs and delivery, while Israeli Ambassador Danon defended Israel’s humanitarian efforts, citing significant aid deliveries. Kaag countered by emphasizing that the aid provided falls short of meeting the essential needs for a dignified human life.
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