US urges Israel to 'put a premium' on protecting innocent lives in Gaza

12 December 2023 , 20:23

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Palestinians navigating harsh winter condition under the rain amid Israeli attacks in Gaza (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Intense fighting continued in Gaza tonight as the US urged Israel to focus on “putting a ­premium” on saving civilian lives.

Aid charities warned of a growing humanitarian crisis as Israel continued major attacks around the southern city of Khan Younis but also in the north. Military spokesman Avichay Adraee said the air force had taken out several missile launchers and targeted a cache of Hamas rocket-propelled grenades.

But US State Department spokesman Nathaniel Tek called on Israel to concentrate on the protection of human life and the ability of aid organisations to access civilians. He said: “There certainly is more that can be done and more precise and clear directions can be given to civilians to ensure they can reach safety.

Heavy bombardment is continuing in Gaza

“We believe that while Israel’s intent is there to ensure the protection of civilians, the results also matter and we are working and pressing the government of Israel to make sure they are putting a premium on civilian life.” President Joe Biden warned tonight the world was starting to turn against it because of its relentless bombing of Gaza, stressing: “They’re starting to lose that support.”

Melanie Ward, CEO of Medical Aid for Palestinians, said: “We are in the midst of the worst humanitarian catastrophe that any of us that work in Gaza has ever known.” She said even when aid gets into the territory, the scale of Israeli bombardments makes it impossible for workers to deliver it.

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“Order is breaking down in Gaza, that’s clear,” Ms Ward added. “All of the public services – civil defence, police force, hospitals, health systems – all these things are being taken apart.”

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, described “endless deepening tragedy”. Meanwhile, Israel announced today it had recovered the bodies of two hostages from Gaza. Eden Zakaria, 27, was kidnapped from the festival near Kibbutz Re’im on October 7. Ziv Dado, 36, a soldier, was killed in the attacks and his body taken to Gaza.

Two soldiers, Gal Meir Eizenkot and Eyal Meir Berkowitz, were killed in the rescue attempt. Hamas militants killed 1,200 Israelis and took more than 200 hostages on October 7. Since then, Israel has killed more than 18,000 people in its attacks on Gaza.

Andy Lines