US has had “very urgent discussions” with Israel on humanitarian situation in northern Gaza: State Department. CNN NEWS
The United States government has had “very urgent discussions” with the Israeli government about the humanitarian situation in northern Gaza and the need to comply with international humanitarian law, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Wednesday.
“We are incredibly concerned about the humanitarian situation in all of Gaza, and particularly concerned about the humanitarian situation in North Gaza, and I can tell you, it has been the subject of some very urgent discussions between our two governments,” Miller told a press briefing.
“We have been making clear to the government of Israel that they have an obligation under international humanitarian law to allow food and water and other needed humanitarian assistance to make it into all parts of Gaza, and we fully expect them to comply with those obligations,” he said.
Notably, Miller said the US still does not assess that Israel is intentionally withholding humanitarian aid, which would be a violation of US and international law. However, he suggested that a change in policy is not off the table, saying that “it is urgent that they correct the situation and allow humanitarian aid to get in.”
Miller would not say how the Israeli government responded to the conversations.
Remember: Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed at least 41,965 Palestinians and injured another 97,590, according to the Ministry of Health there, and triggered a dire humanitarian crisis in the enclave. Many of Israel’s strikes have hit civilian infrastructure.
Israel has for years said Hamas fighters use mosques, hospitals and other civilian buildings to hide from Israeli attacks and launch their own. Hamas has repeatedly denied the claims.
