Israeli ground troops are now apparently also deployed in the southern part of the Gaza Strip in the fight against the terrorist militia Hamas. This worsens the situation for the civilian population there. The USA urges compliance with international law.
A good five weeks after the start of the Israeli ground offensive in the north of the Gaza Strip, the military expanded its ground operations to the entire Palestinian territory on Sunday.
The soldiers took action against targets of the Islamist Hamas, said army spokesman Daniel Hagari. The army had fought hard and thoroughly in the northern Gaza Strip and was now doing the same in the southern Gaza Strip, Israel’s Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi had said shortly before – without explicitly speaking of a ground offensive.
Eyewitnesses had previously reported to the dpa news agency that Israeli ground troops had advanced into an area east of the city of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip. According to its own statements, the military has carried out massive air strikes in the south since the end of the ceasefire lasting several days on Friday.
USA urges Israel to better protect civilians
This has made the situation even worse for the Palestinian civilian population. In recent weeks, following instructions from the Israeli military, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled from the embattled north of the sealed-off coastal area to the south – where there is now likely to be increased fighting on the ground.
Meanwhile, leading US politicians urged Israel to better protect civilians during hostilities. “We believe that Israel must do more to protect innocent civilians,” said US Vice President Kamala Harris on the sidelines of the World Climate Change Conference in Dubai. “The United States unequivocally believes that international humanitarian law must be upheld. Too many innocent Palestinians have been killed.”
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had previously urged Israel to protect civilians in the Gaza Strip.
ICC chief prosecutor calls for upholding international law
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, also called on Israel and Hamas to adhere to international law. “All parties involved must uphold international humanitarian law,” Khan said after a four-day visit to Israel and the West Bank. “If they don’t do it, they shouldn’t be surprised that we are forced to act.”
Civilians must have access to basic food, water and essential medical products “without further delay, expeditiously and appropriately,” said Khan.