US Emphasizes Compliance with Humanitarian Law in Gaza Amid Tragic Casualties

The US has urged compliance with international humanitarian law in Gaza after Israeli forces killed 15 individuals, including medics. While expressing concern, the State Department also emphasized Hamas's role in the ongoing violence, underscoring a complex web of responsibilities amidst a humanitarian crisis.

The US government has reaffirmed its expectation that "all parties on the ground" in Gaza respect international humanitarian law in light of recent casualties caused by Israeli military actions. This statement comes after the discovery of a mass grave containing 15 bodies, including those of paramedics and a UN worker. The State Department spokeswoman, Tammy Bruce, noted, "Every single thing that happens in Gaza is happening because of Hamas," although she refrained from confirming any internal assessment regarding the killings.

On March 23, the UN's humanitarian agency reported that five ambulances, a fire truck, and a UN vehicle had been struck sequentially, leading to the tragic loss of life. The Israeli military defended its actions, asserting that the vehicles targeted were "advancing suspiciously" without proper identification signals and claimed the deaths included a Hamas operative among other militants. However, they did not address reports concerning the collection and burial of the deceased in a mass grave.

International humanitarian law strictly prohibits targeting civilians and provides special protection for medical personnel during conflicts. The Red Cross has expressed outrage over the incident, and Jonathan Whittall, head of the UN humanitarian agency in Gaza, highlighted the grave breach of medical worker protections, stating, "It's an absolute horror what has happened here."

Since March 18, Israel has intensified its air and ground operations in Gaza in the wake of stalled ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. According to Hamas-run health ministry reports, these military actions have resulted in over 1,000 fatalities. The conflict escalated dramatically following an unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, resulting in numerous casualties and hostages. The ongoing war has led to devastating losses, with claims of over 50,350 deaths in Gaza amidst the brutal conflict. The situation remains dire, with urgent calls for accountability and adherence to humanitarian principles from the international community.