US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, in a conversation with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Galant, spoke about the importance of following the “law of war.” This was announced by Pentagon press secretary Patrick Ryder.
“During the call, he discussed the importance of upholding the law of war, including obligations to protect civilians, and addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” the statement said.
The Pentagon chief emphasized the United States’ “unwavering commitment” to Israel’s security and announced the continued supply of air defense systems and ammunition to the Israeli military.
Formerly UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths accused Israel of violating the rules of war by demanding that residents of Gaza City (1.1 million) evacuate to the south of the strip. He recalled that the Gaza Strip is under constant bombing, houses and roads have turned into ruins and there are no safe places left for local residents.
Griffiths said it was a dangerous and outrageous decision to order “frightened and traumatized civilians”, including children and women, to move from one densely populated area to another when fighting is not suspended.
In addition to the UN, international medical organizations also criticized Israel. The Palestinian Red Crescent said there were insufficient resources to evacuate all the elderly, disabled, sick and wounded, stressing that “there are no safe zones in the entire Gaza Strip.” The World Health Organization has compared the urgent transfer of seriously ill people to a “death sentence.”
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2023-10-15 00:55:00
