The recent airstrike by the Israeli military has sparked outrage after 15 individuals, including paramedics and a UN official, were killed, leading to calls for accountability and adherence to humanitarian laws.
US Calls for Compliance with Humanitarian Law Amid Growing Tensions in Gaza
US Calls for Compliance with Humanitarian Law Amid Growing Tensions in Gaza
The US government emphasizes the need for all involved parties in Gaza to adhere to international humanitarian standards following recent deaths of medics by Israeli forces.
The United States has reiterated its stance that "all parties on the ground" in Gaza must comply with international humanitarian law in light of recent incidents involving the deaths of medical personnel. This comes after the discovery of a mass grave containing 15 bodies, including those of paramedics and a UN worker, spurring significant concern among humanitarian organizations and the international community. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated, "Every single thing that happens in Gaza is happening because of Hamas," while declining to confirm if the US would conduct its own investigation into the Israeli military's actions.
Reports indicate that on March 23, five ambulances, a fire truck, and a UN vehicle were sequentially hit by Israeli fire, resulting in deaths of medical workers who were reportedly still in their uniforms. The Israeli military defended its actions, claiming to have targeted vehicles that were "advancing suspiciously" without lights or emergency signals. However, they did not address the claims regarding the mass grave, where a marker—a light from one of the damaged ambulances—was placed.
The Red Cross has shown outrage over the loss of medics, highlighting that international laws prohibit targeting medical personnel, emphasizing the need for their protection in conflict zones. The head of the UN's humanitarian agency in Gaza, Jonathan Whittall, condemned the situation, labeling the incident an "absolute horror" and stressing that healthcare workers should never be viewed as targets.
The escalation of violence is part of Israel's intensified campaign in Gaza, which resumed on March 18 after ceasefire negotiations with Hamas failed. The Hamas-run health ministry reports that more than 1,000 lives have been lost in Gaza since the recent outbreak of conflict. This latest wave of violence follows an October 7 attack by Hamas, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals. The human toll in Gaza has surged to an alarming figure of over 50,000 people, underscoring the urgent call for a resolution to the conflict.
