US demands ‘explanation’ from 'Israel' on Jabalia camp strike in Gaza
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US officials are calling on "Israel" to explain the "thinking process" behind the recent attack on the densely populated Jabalia Refugee Camp in northern Gaza.
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Palestinians try to pull a girl out of the rubble of a building that was destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. (AP)
US officials are calling on the Israeli occupation to "justify" and “explain” the details and thinking process behind the recent airstrike on the densely populated Jabalia Refugee Camp in northern Gaza this week, after the attack killed dozens, according to US and Israeli officials, Politico reported.
A Democratic member of the House claimed that “Israel” was urged to conduct “precision targeting” in an effort to “avoid harming civilians,” adding that the conversation was in the context of “asking Israel to do more to avoid civilian casualties.”
According to the official, the US has been asking about “Israel’s” motives and how they plan on achieving them, however, it did not shy away from its solid support for “Israel’s right to self-defense.”
#WATCH | Scenes from the massacre the Israelis committed in the Jabalia camp north of the #Gaza strip.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 31, 2023
The Israelis killed more than 100 innocent civilians and injured more than 300, according to official preliminary reports. #GazaGenocide pic.twitter.com/qeY4CI4R7P
On Tuesday, Pentagon officials asked the Israeli occupation forces about the attack on the Jabalia Refugee Camp, adding that “Israel” allegedly “puts a lot of effort ensuring civilians are out of harm’s way,” but the ongoing attacks have proved otherwise as "Israel" has committed around 1,000 massacres in the Gaza Strip so far.
On that note, more than 9,000 Palestinians have been martyred since the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and the Israeli aggression on Gaza, nearly 4,000 of them are children. Hence, US experts believe that “Israel” has a much higher tolerance for civilian deaths than the United States.
'Israel' urged to 'ease back': US official
The Democratic member revealed that the US has urged “Israel” several times to “ease back” on its bombing – particularly after bombing the refugee camp. That said, it is worth stressing that the US is aware of “Israel’s” massacres but still hasn’t stepped up to hold the occupation accountable for its war crimes.
However, the House member revealed that Democrats are “preliminarily discussing” measures to penalize the occupation if it does not “change course,” such as “actual enforcement of existing human rights vetting.”
The lawmaker said, “There are mechanisms in place to achieve what we need to achieve,” stressing “like the Leahy Law that prohibits assistance to countries committing human rights abuses.”
#Watch | The aftermath of the second Israeli massacre in #Jabalia camp in northern #Gaza.#GazaUnderAttack #Palestine pic.twitter.com/E16ZMP40rd
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 1, 2023
“Whenever we provide military assistance to partners including Israel … we do make clear that that support must be used consistent with international law, to include the Law of War, and obligations related to protecting civilians,” Pentagon Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters Thursday.
Even though US officials are taking a stance, it is worth stressing that pressuring “Israel” doesn’t come from empty grounds – this surely comes as the Biden administration is enduring public pressure.
Blinken arrives in "Israel"
Earlier today, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in "Tel Aviv" for the second time since the beginning of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
According to reports, Blinken reiterated that "Israel" has the "right to self-defense", and Washington is making every effort to secure the release of more than 240 captives being held by the Resistance in Gaza.
Read next: US proposes to UN 'Israel's' right to 'self-defense'
Blinken claimed that he urged Israeli leaders to allow "humanitarian pauses" in the war on Gaza to allow aid to enter the besieged strip and allow captives to be released by Hamas.
He said he spoke with "Israel's" war cabinet and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about how, when, and where these pauses can be put into place, as well as what agreements need to be made to increase aid, prevent civilian casualties, and secure the release of captives.
Meanwhile, the US has rejected the increasing number of appeals from around the world for a ceasefire.
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
