US Calls for Compliance with Humanitarian Law Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict

Amid increasing tensions in Gaza, the US State Department emphasizes the importance of humanitarian law compliance by all parties involved. Reports of a mass grave containing the bodies of medics and a UN worker have led to calls for accountability and protection for medical personnel.

The US government has reiterated its expectation for "all parties on the ground" in Gaza to comply with international humanitarian law, amidst reports of a mass grave containing 15 bodies, including paramedics, civilian defense workers, and a UN official. The situation arose following an airstrike by the Israeli military on March 23, where five ambulances and other emergency vehicles were reportedly struck, leading to outrage from humanitarian organizations.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce responded to queries regarding the incident by emphasizing the ongoing violence is a direct consequence of Hamas actions. However, she declined to confirm whether the US is conducting its own investigation regarding the military's actions, which have been heavily scrutinized. The UN’s humanitarian agency reported that victims were found in a mass grave, with a visual marker from one of the struck ambulances.

The Israeli military claimed it targeted vehicles that were allegedly moving suspiciously, suggesting that Hamas operatives may have been among the casualties. Still, they did not address the circumstances surrounding the bodies being buried with a marked grave. International law distinctly prohibits attacks on civilians and emphasizes protection for medical staff in conflict zones, leaving many questioning the legality of these military actions.

Jonathan Whittall, head of the UN humanitarian agency in Gaza, condemned the attacks on medical personnel, calling it "an absolute horror." He reaffirmed the critical role of healthcare workers in conflict areas, asserting that they should never be singled out as targets. Since the renewal of Israel's military campaign on March 18, over 1,000 fatalities have been recorded in Gaza as a result of the escalating conflict, following a tragic cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

In the wake of these developments, the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 50,350, illustrating the catastrophic humanitarian situation as efforts for peace negotiations remain stalled.