“White House Calls for De-Escalation in Gaza Conflict Despite Defending Israel’s Right to Self-Defense”

Jakarta –

The White House has urged a de-escalation in the conflict Gaza. But it still defends Israel’s right to attack militants in the enclave.

“We call on all parties to defuse the situation,” said a spokesman for the National Security Council, reported by AFP, Tuesday (9/5/2023).

They noted reports that civilians were “tragically” killed by Israeli military action.

But the spokesman said the US commitment to Israel remained “bound.”

“Israel has the right to protect itself and defend its people from indiscriminate rocket attacks launched by terrorist groups.”

12 People Killed in Gaza

The death toll from Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza territory has risen to 12 people. The Israeli military said the air strike on Tuesday (9/5) early morning local time targeted the Palestinian militia group, Islamic Jihad.

The health ministry of Gaza, which is controlled by the Hamas group, said women and children were among the dead, but gave no further details on the identities of the victims.

An AFP building journalist in Gaza saw the top of a building burn after the attack and ambulances evacuating victims.

The Israeli military said it had targeted three leaders of Islamic Jihad, and had attacked the group’s “weapons manufacturing sites”. The Israeli government has declared the group a terrorist organization.

(aik/aik)