Date: December 3, 2023
In the wake of the recent resumption of combat operations in Gaza, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has emphasized the imperative for Israel to prioritize the protection of civilians. Speaking at a forum in California on Saturday, Austin reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering support for Israel but underscored that safeguarding civilian lives is crucial for Israel’s long-term success against Hamas.
Drawing from his experience in urban warfare during the Iraq conflict and the campaign against ISIS, Austin highlighted the critical lesson that victory in such situations depends on the protection of civilians. He emphasized that if civilians are driven into the arms of the enemy, a tactical victory can quickly turn into a strategic defeat.
Austin conveyed a clear message to Israel’s leaders, stating, “I have repeatedly made clear to Israel’s leaders that protecting Palestinian civilians in Gaza is both a moral responsibility and a strategic imperative.”
The comments from Austin echo similar sentiments expressed by US Vice President Kamala Harris earlier on Saturday. Harris stated that “too many innocent Palestinians have been killed” and urged Israel to do more to protect civilians as it pursues its military objectives in Gaza.
As the conflict intensifies, the toll on Gaza’s population continues to mount. According to Dr. Ashraf Al-Qudra, a spokesperson for the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza, Israeli strikes have killed at least 15,207 people and injured over 40,652 others. Alarmingly, at least 70% of those casualties are reported to be women and children.
The dire situation in Gaza is exacerbated by Israel’s blockade, causing widespread food, fuel, and drug shortages. The medical system is on the verge of collapse, leaving 2.2 million Gazans at risk of dehydration and starvation. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) estimates that 1.8 million people have been displaced in Gaza since October 7. Human rights organizations assert that Israel’s attacks on civilians, along with their forced evacuation, amount to war crimes.
In a separate development, the UK Ministry of Defence has announced plans to conduct surveillance flights over Gaza to aid in locating hostages taken by Hamas during a terror attack in southern Israel on October 7. The UK government, working with other countries, aims to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals. The surveillance flights, unarmed and solely tasked with locating hostages, will cover the Eastern Mediterranean, including Israel and Gaza. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office did not disclose the timing or frequency of these flights.