Israel continues attacks on Gaza as US condemns casualty toll – DW – 16.07.2024

Israel continued its bombing of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, shortly after the United States renewed its criticism of the high number of civilian deaths in the war against Hamas.

At least 57 Palestinians were killed in bombings in the central and southern parts of the enclave, health officials said.

Later that day, the Israeli military announced that half of the leadership of Hamas’s military wing had been eliminated.

What did the US say about the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip?

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed Washington’s “grave concern” to two senior Israeli officials following deadly Israeli air strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip, his spokesman said.

“We have seen that civilian casualties have declined since the height of the conflict … but they still remain unacceptably high,” said U.S. State Department spokesman Mathew Miller.

Blinken met with Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi.

The United States has called on Israel and Hamas to negotiate a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. On Sunday, the leader of Hamas’ political wing, Ismail Haniyeh, said the group was withdrawing from indirect talks on a deal following deadly Israeli air strikes that have hit the Palestinian territory in recent days.

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to increase “pressure” on Hamas and said Israel would remain “steadfast” in its demands.

Israel attacks the south and center of the Gaza Strip

The Israeli military said it had killed “40 terror targets” in Gaza and said troops would continue their targeted attacks in the southwestern city of Rafah and central Gaza.

Five Palestinians and a family of four were killed in an airstrike on a house in Khan Younis, health officials said.

Later Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike on a car in Khan Younis killed at least 17 Palestinians and injured 26.

The Israeli military said the attack targeted a senior member of the militant group Islamic Jihad, which is allied with Hamas.

Also on Tuesday, the Israeli military said it had eliminated half of the leadership of Hamas’ military wing since the war began, claiming that about 14,000 fighters had been killed or captured since the offensive began.

Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization by the governments of Israel, Germany and the United States.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is examining allegations made by South Africa that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

More than 38,700 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to data from the Hamas-run Health Ministry, which the UN considers to be largely reliable.

sdi/ab (AFP, Reuters, AP, KNA)