US dismay over Israel’s conduct of Gaza war

By Nathan Morley

Washington complained of a gap between its promise to protect civilians and what’s happening on the ground. The Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, told a news conference that the location of safe areas should be clearly communicated, and they should be fully supplied with basics such as water, food, and medicine.

“There does remain a gap between ... the intent to protect civilians and the actual results that we’re seeing on the ground,” Blinken said.

Over the last few weeks, tens of thousands of Palestinians have fled to Rafah near the border with Egypt as concentrated fighting continues in and around Khan Younis.

Raid on refugee camp

Elsewhere, the Palestinian Health Ministry in the occupied West Bank says six Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in an operation at a refugee camp, north of Nablus.

Israeli media reported skirmishes after troops raided the camp on Friday morning.

Later, the United Nations Security Council will meet to vote on whether to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Earlier, the UN’s humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said its humanitarian program in the enclave was no longer functioning.

This crisis began back in October when Hamas attacked Israel killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages, including many women and children.

Hamas says since then, Israel has killed more than 17,000 people in its retaliatory campaign.