US criticizes Israel for Gaza strikes on civilians and schools

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, expressed significant frustration with Israel's military actions in Gaza during a recent Security Council meeting. She accused Israel of striking civilian targets, including schools and humanitarian workers, which has led to numerous casualties among non-combatants. This criticism comes as the conflict approaches its first anniversary, with over 41,000 Palestinians reported killed during the offensive, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Thomas-Greenfield pointed out that many of the strikes that injured or killed U.N. personnel were preventable, highlighting a recent incident where six UNRWA staff members were among those killed. Israel defended its actions by claiming it targets Hamas militants, who allegedly use civilians as shields. However, the U.S. is pressing for fundamental changes in Israel's military operations to ensure that humanitarian efforts are not compromised. The ambassador emphasized the urgency of reaching a cease-fire and a deal for the release of hostages, indicating that the situation in Gaza is dire. The U.S. is working with Egypt and Qatar to mediate discussions between Israel and Hamas, urging all parties to make necessary compromises. In light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis, the U.N. has called for an independent investigation into the strikes. The U.S. continues to advocate for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, stressing that military operations should not conflict with humanitarian needs.