US Emphasizes Accountability for All Parties in Gaza Amidst Medical Personnel Casualties

The US State Department stresses that all involved in the Gaza conflict must follow international law, especially concerning the treatment of medical personnel, after the Israeli military's recent actions resulted in civilian casualties, including paramedics.

The US government has reiterated its expectation that "all parties on the ground" in Gaza must comply with international humanitarian law amidst rising tensions and fatalities linked to the ongoing conflict. This statement comes after reports surfaced of the Israeli military's involvement in the deaths of 15 individuals, including paramedics and a UN worker, discovered in a mass grave.

In a press briefing, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce attributed the current violence and circumstances in Gaza to Hamas, suggesting that their actions are central to the humanitarian crisis. However, when questioned regarding potential investigations into these deaths, the US declined to confirm if it was conducting its own assessment.

The United Nations humanitarian agency has reported that multiple civilian vehicles, including ambulances and a fire truck, were targeted on March 23, resulting in the tragic loss of life among medical personnel still dressed in their uniforms. The Israeli military has defended its actions, claiming to have fired upon vehicles that were operating suspiciously. The military identified a Hamas operative among the deceased, though it did not address accounts of bodies being gathered from the scene.

Jonathan Whittall, head of the UN's humanitarian agency in Gaza, described the discovery of the mass grave as an "absolute horror" and emphasized that medical workers should be shielded from conflict. He pointed out that the marker for the grave was an emergency light from one of the ambulances that was struck.

This recent escalation follows Israel's renewed military operations against Hamas, launched on March 18 after ceasefire negotiations failed. The ongoing conflict has led to over 1,000 fatalities in Gaza, according to health authorities in the territory. The roots of the current crisis can be traced back to an intense cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, where approximately 1,200 individuals were killed, and 251 taken hostage. Since then, health ministry reports indicate a death toll exceeding 50,350 in Gaza. The situation continues to demand international attention and accountability for actions taken by all involved parties.