White House Backs Israel's Efforts to Protect Civilians in Gaza amid Escalating Conflict with Hamas

The White House has expressed support for Israel's efforts to minimize civilian deaths in Gaza amid growing international concern over the escalating conflict with Hamas. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated during US Sunday talk shows that US intelligence had no knowledge of any secret, advance Hamas blueprint for the brutal October 7 attack that triggered the conflict. This comes in contrast to a report by The New York Times, which claimed that Israeli authorities had obtained such a document a year before the attack occurred.

Hamas claims that over 15,500 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began, but these numbers cannot be independently verified and are believed to include both civilians and Hamas members. Nevertheless, Kirby emphasized that Israel has been responsive to US appeals to protect civilians, citing the publication of an online map indicating safe places for Gazans to seek shelter. He described this act as "unprecedented" for a modern military. US Vice President Kamala Harris, however, took a slightly different stance during the COP28 international climate conference in Dubai.

She criticized Israel for the high number of innocent Palestinians killed in the conflict, stating that the scale of civilian suffering and the disturbing images and videos coming from Gaza were devastating. As the conflict resumed after a week-long truce, Israel's Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, defended Israel's efforts to minimize civilian casualties. He asserted that harming more civilians was not the goal and that if it were, Israel could have acted swiftly. However, international concern over the toll in Gaza has continued to mount.

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed deep concern over the situation, calling for an immediate ceasefire. Kirby also addressed questions regarding The New York Times report on the Hamas attack plan. While Israeli officials dismissed the document as beyond Hamas' capabilities, Kirby stated that the US intelligence community was examining the matter but had no prior knowledge or visibility into the document. Israeli authorities claim that the unprecedented assault on October 7 led to the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The toll and the ongoing violence have drawn international criticism, including pressure from the US.