US State Dept urges diplomats to refrain from mentioning de-escalation

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Huffpost
13 Oct 2023 21:49

This suggests a reluctance from the Biden administration to push for Israeli restraint, despite the ongoing aggression initiated in response to Hamas's resistance operation on October 7.

Palestinian Child wounded in Israeli strikes is treated in Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 (AP Photo/Ali Mahmoud)

The US State Department is reportedly cautioning diplomats working on Middle East issues not to make public statements indicating a U.S. preference for reduced violence, HuffPost reported on Friday, citing internal emails.

According to the news outlet, senior officials have discouraged the use of specific phrases such as "de-escalation/ceasefire," "end to violence/bloodshed," and "restoring calm" in press materials.

This suggests a reluctance from the Biden administration to push for Israeli restraint, despite the ongoing aggression initiated in response to Hamas's operation on October 7.

Hours after "Israel" issued the threat to over 1.1 million residents in northern Gaza to evacuate their homes ahead of a potential ground invasion, internal emails discussed the US State Department's reluctance to endorse or reject "Israel's" evacuation order.

The UN also expressed concern, stating that the proposed movement to the southern strip within a 24-hour timeframe would have severe humanitarian consequences.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby referred to the evacuation order as "a tall order."

"We’re going to be careful not to get into armchair quarterbacking the tactics on the ground by the [Israeli occupation forces]," he added. "What I can tell you is we understand what they’re trying to do. They’re trying to move civilians out of harm’s way and giving them fair warning."

US authorities have expressed their expectation that "Israel" would adhere to the laws of war in its ongoing aggression, however, no mention of a ceasefire has been made so far.

On Tuesday, the occupation's Security Minister Yoav Gallant ordered to cut off of electricity, water, and food from Gaza, while also referring to the Palestinians in Gaza as "human animals", who he will have to deal with "accordingly".

Earlier today, UNICEF’s representative in Egypt Jeremy Hopkins stated that aid agencies in Egypt were ready to send urgent humanitarian supplies into Gaza and in turn receive wounded Palestinians, although the Rafah border remains closed.

The current death toll of Palestinian martyrs stands at 1799, including 533 children.