Blinken denounces civilian toll in Gaza, says ‘far too many Palestinians have been killed’ | CNN Politics
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday declared that “far too many Palestinians have been killed, far too many have suffered these past weeks” – one of his most direct condemnations of the civilian toll in Gaza.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday gave one of his most direct condemnations of the civilian death toll in Gaza and said more needs to be done to “minimize harm to Palestinian civilians.”

Although Blinken commended Israel for its announcement of daily military pauses in areas of Northern Gaza and two evacuation corridors, he said that “there is more that can and should be done to minimize harm to Palestinian civilians.”

The top US diplomat has subtly shifted his messaging in the days since he departed the Middle East earlier this week to more directly voice condemnation of the civilian toll in Gaza and the US’ expectations for the Israeli government. However, he still has not condemned the Israeli government offensive and has continually voiced support for its right to defend itself.

  • boredtortoise@lemm.eeEnglish
    102·
    1 year ago

    retaliation impossible, there’s always collateral damage in war. Interesting limitation to impose on Israel, considering the initial attack that caused said retaliation was all about slaughtering and kidnapping non-related human civilians.

    Sure. Principles go all ways

    Israel has all the cards and going all in against them, reality be damned, will yield tragic but predictable results.

    Yes. The pretend of defense has been passed. It’s a tragedy which seems to just be escalating

    • DarkGamer@kbin.social
      313·
      1 year ago

      The pretend of defense has been passed.

      It’s self-defense until Hamas has been rendered incapable of launching another such attack, stopping before then does not provide the safety that they claim this entire operation is about.

      • boredtortoise@lemm.eeEnglish
        61·
        1 year ago

        If they’d only defend towards Hamas. But now the world knows it’s not the case.

        • DarkGamer@kbin.social
          410·
          1 year ago

          If they’d only defend towards Hamas. But now the world knows it’s not the case.

          Huh? That’s a bit garbled. Are you suggesting they aren’t attacking Hamas, the government of Gaza? Are you suggesting they intentionally let the October 7th attack happen? Neither of these make sense to me and I’d like to see some supporting evidence if that’s what you’re getting at. Vague phrases like, “the world knows,” are empirically useless, like supporting a claim with, “people say.”

          • boredtortoise@lemm.eeEnglish
            31·
            1 year ago

            I don’t know where you pulled your assumptions. The whole topic is about civilian casualties. Defense would be fighting Hamas but now it’s clear that the attacks are towards others as well.

            • DarkGamer@kbin.social
              12·
              1 year ago

              Defense would be fighting Hamas but now it’s clear that the attacks are towards others as well.

              You’re now making a claim about intended targets, high civilian casualties is not proof that they intentionally target civilians. Citation, please.

              Defense is when Israel takes action to neutralize the threat against them that just killed hundreds of its people. High collateral damage doesn’t make it not defense.