US Urges Israel to Protect Palestinian Civilians in Gaza and Increase Aid Access

Headline: US Urges Israel to Protect Palestinian Civilians in Gaza, Calls for Unhindered Aid Access

In a recent address to the U.N. Security Council, the United States has called on Israel to do more to safeguard Palestinian civilians in Gaza and to ensure the unimpeded flow of aid into the enclave. The U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the U.N., Robert Wood, emphasized the importance of protecting civilians in the region, citing the recent airstrikes in Rafah that resulted in the loss of at least 45 lives.

The U.S. stance comes in the wake of a draft resolution put forward by Algeria, urging Israel to halt its military offensive in Rafah. While Washington is reviewing the resolution, it believes that U.N. action may not be effective in changing the situation on the ground.

The International Court of Justice also recently ruled that Israel must cease its military assault on Rafah, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian aid access to Gaza. With the enclave facing a looming famine and limited access to essential supplies, the U.S. stressed the importance of ramping up efforts to deliver aid safely to the population.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a significant loss of life, with Gaza health authorities reporting over 36,000 Palestinian casualties in the past seven months. Israel has defended its actions as necessary to eradicate Hamas militants, while Palestinian representatives have accused Israel of using excessive force and targeting civilians.

As the situation in Gaza remains volatile, the U.S. reiterated Israel’s right to self-defense but emphasized the need to protect civilians and avoid disproportionate harm. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and the protection of civilian lives.