U.S. Calls Civilian Casualties in Gaza “Unacceptably High”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told two senior Israeli officials on Sunday, July 16 that the civilian casualties resulting from Israel’s recent bombings in Gaza are “unacceptably high”.

According to AFP, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Blinken conveyed Washington’s serious concerns about the recent civilian casualties in Gaza during meetings with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi.

The Israeli military has conducted deadly strikes on Gaza in recent days, targeting a refugee camp and several UN-run schools where civilians had taken shelter.

In response to these attacks, the hardline Hamas group, designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and European Union, announced it was withdrawing from talks to establish a ceasefire.