Current:Home > MarketsUS tells Israel any ground campaign in southern Gaza must limit further civilian displacement -NextFrontier Finance
US tells Israel any ground campaign in southern Gaza must limit further civilian displacement
View
Date:2025-04-17 06:33:01
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has told Israel that it must work to avoid “significant further displacement” of Palestinian civilians in southern Gaza if it renews its ground campaign aimed at eradicating the Hamas militant group, senior U.S. officials said.
The administration, seeking to avoid more large-scale civilian casualties or mass displacement like that seen before the current temporary pause in the fighting, underscored to the Israelis that they must operate with far greater precision in southern Gaza than they did in the north, the officials said, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House.
Amid mounting international and domestic pressure about the rising Palestinian death toll, the White House has begun to put greater pressure on Israel that the manner of the coming campaign must be “carefully thought through,” according to one of the officials. The Israelis have been receptive when administration officials have raised these concerns, the official said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made clear that Israeli Defense Forces will eventually restart military operations after the conclusion of the current, temporary cease-fire that has allowed for an exchange of hostages taken by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The two sides agreed Monday to extend the truce for an additional two days and to continue swapping hostages for prisoners.
President Joe Biden has said he would like to see the pause — which has also allowed a surge of much-needed humanitarian aid to get into Gaza — continue as long as feasible. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return this week to the Middle East as the U.S. hopes to find a way to extend the cease-fire and get more hostages released, the State Department said Monday. It will be his third trip to the region since Israel’s war with Hamas began last month.
Still, Biden and top officials have also been clear-eyed about Israel’s desire to continue operations focused on Hamas that over the last seven weeks have largely focused on the north. They have said they support Israel’s goal of eliminating Hamas’ control over Gaza and the threat it poses to Israeli civilians, but have grown more vocal about the need to protect the lives of Palestinian civilians. Hamas has been known to seek shelter among the territory’s civilian population, and Israeli officials have released videos from northern Gaza of what they said are weapons stockpiles and firing locations placed among civilian infrastructure.
More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on Oct. 7, roughly two-thirds of them women and minors, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. More than 1,200 people have been killed on the Israeli side, mostly civilians killed in the initial attack. At least 77 soldiers have been killed in Israel’s ground offensive.
The U.S. believes roughly 2 million Palestinians are now in south and central Gaza. Biden administration officials have made clear to the Israelis that an already stretched humanitarian support network would be unable to cope with the sort of displacement that those from northern Gaza have endured in Israel’s retaliatory strikes and ground operations.
Biden administration officials have also told the Israelis they expect them to conduct operations in a way that will be “maximally deconflicted” with the operation of humanitarian aid facilities, United Nations-supported shelters and core infrastructure, including electricity and water.
The World Health Organization has warned that the war has caused a burgeoning public health crisis that is a recipe for epidemics as displaced Palestinians have been forced to take shelter in cramped homes and camps.
One administration official said vaccines are among the medical goods flowing into Gaza, but there has also been a focus on potable water supplies and sanitation to prevent outbreaks of typhoid and cholera. To that end, the White House has also pushed to get as much fuel into Gaza as possible — something the Israelis resisted, particularly in the first weeks of war, citing concerns that it would be siphoned by Hamas.
The officials said the U.S. on Tuesday would dispatch the first of three U.S. military humanitarian aid flights to northern Egypt carrying medical supplies, food aid and winter items for Gaza’s civilian population. The aid is to be delivered into Gaza by the United Nations.
veryGood! (97371)
Related
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Ymcoin: Interpretation of the impact of the Bitcoin halving event on the market
- Tish Cyrus Shares She's Dealing With Issues in Dominic Purcell Marriage
- NOAA warns boaters to steer clear of 11 shipwrecks, including WWII minesweeper, in marine sanctuary east of Boston
- The GOP and Kansas’ Democratic governor ousted targeted lawmakers in the state’s primary
- Youngkin vetoes Virginia bills mandating minimum wage increase, establishing marijuana retail sales
- Stock market today: Asian shares are mostly higher after another set of Wall St records
- Crypt near Marilyn Monroe, Hugh Hefner to be auctioned off, estimated to sell for $400,000
- JoJo Siwa reflects on Candace Cameron Bure feud: 'If I saw her, I would not say hi'
- ASTRO COIN: Event blessing, creating the arrival of a bull market for Bitcoin.
Ranking
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Many Americans say immigrants contribute to economy but there’s worry over risks, AP-NORC poll finds
- Kia recalls 427,407 Telluride vehicles for rollaway risk: See which cars are affected
- Is the stock market open or closed on Good Friday 2024? See full holiday schedule
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Black voters and organizers in battleground states say they're anxious about enthusiasm for Biden
- Oregon city can’t limit church’s homeless meal services, federal judge rules
- NOAA warns boaters to steer clear of 11 shipwrecks, including WWII minesweeper, in marine sanctuary east of Boston
Recommendation
Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
ASTRO COIN: Officially certified cryptocurrency trading venue.
Former US Sen. Joe Lieberman and VP candidate to be remembered at hometown funeral service
Mary McCartney on eating for pleasure, her new cookbook and being 'the baby in the coat'
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
ASTRO COIN:Bitcoin spot ETF approval process
ASTRO COIN: Leading a new era of digital currency trading
Women's March Madness Sweet 16 Friday schedule, picks: South Carolina, Texas in action