U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has expressed strong concern over Israel’s military operations in Gaza, particularly the impact on schools, humanitarian workers, and civilian populations. While Israel defends its actions as necessary to target Hamas, the situation is drawing increased scrutiny as the conflict approaches its one-year mark.
In a recent U.N. Security Council meeting, Thomas-Greenfield was notably direct in criticizing Israel, stating many attacks that affected U.N. staff were “preventable.” This comes in the wake of an Israeli strike on a former school used as a civilian shelter by UNRWA, which tragically resulted in the deaths of at least 18 individuals, including women and children.
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Israel claims the strike aimed at a Hamas command center. Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Danny Danon, argued that Hamas militants were among the casualties, alleging they disguised their activities by working for UNRWA during the day.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a thorough investigation into the incident, highlighting the urgent need for Israel to allow humanitarian operations in the region.
Thomas-Greenfield also condemned the recent killing of Turkish American activist Aysenur Eygi during protests in the West Bank, asserting that the incident was an avoidable tragedy. The Israeli Defense Forces acknowledged a possible oversight in her death and have initiated an investigation.
Additionally, she stated that the U.S. expects Israel to implement significant changes in military conduct, particularly concerning civilian safety protocols. She emphasized, “There is absolutely no reason for forces to open fire on clearly marked U.N. vehicles.”
While acknowledging Hamas’s strategy of using civilian sites as cover, she reiterated the need for a ceasefire. The U.S. is actively engaging with Egypt and Qatar in a bid to mediate an end to the conflict.
This week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Egypt as part of these diplomatic efforts. Thomas-Greenfield stressed the importance of urging all parties, especially those with influence over Hamas, to pursue compromise for a swift resolution.
From the ground, Sigrid Kaag, the U.N. humanitarian chief in Gaza, described the situation as “hell on Earth” for the territory’s 2 million residents, citing severe restrictions on humanitarian access and deteriorating living conditions amidst ongoing violence.
Danon responded to the criticisms by highlighting Israel’s humanitarian contributions, claiming over 1 million tons of aid have been delivered. However, Kaag countered that despite these efforts, essential needs continue to be unmet, reminding the council, “It’s not about trucks. It’s about what people need.”
The conflict escalated after the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, predominantly civilians.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press