US Efforts to Reduce Palestinian Civilian Casualties; Sullivan Visits Israel

Reuters reported that the Israeli army continued its attacks in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, December 14, resulting in the deaths of several Palestinian civilians. In this context, Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor of the White House, has traveled to Israel with the aim of trying to reduce Palestinian civilian casualties. According to Reuters, the war in Gaza, which has lasted more than two months, has created a "humanitarian disaster" with no end in sight. The war in Gaza began after Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, during which approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed. Hamas militants also took around 240 hostages, of whom 135 are still believed to be in Gaza, possibly dead. Following this attack, Israel besieged the Gaza Strip and began its operations aimed at "destroying Hamas." Officials in the Gaza government, controlled by Hamas, claim that nearly 19,000 people have been killed due to Israeli attacks, two-thirds of whom are women and children. In contrast, Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields and stated that Hamas militants utilize civilian buildings such as hospitals and schools. Additionally, Yoav Gallant, Israel's Defense Minister, stated during a meeting with Jake Sullivan that the war with Hamas would require a long period, lasting more than a few months, but that Israel would prevail and destroy Hamas. Previously, US President Joe Biden stated on December 12 that Israel is losing support due to its indiscriminate bombing of Gaza and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should change his hardline cabinet. Meanwhile, Israeli Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, a member of Netanyahu's security cabinet and Likud party, rejected Biden's characterization of Israel's attacks. He told Israeli Army Radio that some bombs are more precise while others are less so. This Israeli minister emphasized the precision of pilots in airstrikes, stating, "There is no chance that the Air Force or other military units would fire at targets that are not terrorist." CNN reported on Thursday, citing US intelligence assessments, that about 45% of the 29,000 bombs Israel has dropped on Gaza since October 7 are not guided. On the other hand, ten doctors and rescuers told Reuters that shortages of food, clean water, and shelter have exhausted hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians, and with a dysfunctional health system, the spread of diseases is inevitable. Juliette Touma, communications director for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), told Reuters that many shelters are overcrowded with people seeking safety, noting that some shelters are hosting four or five times their capacity. She stated, "Most shelters lack toilets or showers or clean water," adding that since the war began in Gaza, 135 UNRWA staff members have been killed, and 70% of the staff have left their homes. For these reasons, the agency is only able to operate 9 out of 28 clinics it had before the war. In this context, officials from the Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, reported on Wednesday, December 13, that over 300 staff members and doctors from the ministry have been killed since October 7. Meanwhile, NBC reported that international concern is growing that Iranian proxy forces in Lebanon may attempt to expand the war into a regional conflict. According to NBC, there are also concerns in Lebanon that Benjamin Netanyahu may expand the war to other countries due to his political troubles within Israel, creating a regional nightmare, as stated by Lebanese politicians. Since the beginning of the conflict with Hamas, Israel has witnessed attacks from southern Lebanon on its northern borders. The southern regions of Lebanon are controlled by Hezbollah. Israel has responded to these attacks by bombing areas in southern Lebanon. Manouchehr Amir stated that Hamas is lying about the number of casualties in Gaza and exaggerating the figures. The continuation of Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has resulted in 24 more deaths. Gallant stated that they will continue until Hamas is destroyed and all hostages are freed, asserting that no one can dictate terms to them. The US stated that an early ceasefire at this time would mean the survival of Hamas and a repetition of similar attacks on Israel as on October 7. Israel reported the deaths of 10 of its soldiers in Gaza. New sanctions from the US and UK against Hamas financing networks in several countries have been imposed. Discussions are ongoing among senior military officials from Israel and the US regarding the arrest or killing of Hamas leaders. The UN General Assembly has issued a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Water has begun to be pumped into Hamas tunnels in Gaza by Israel.