Gaza conflict has had an 'unfortunate impact' on Palestinian civilians: Pentagon

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The conflict in Gaza has had an "unfortunate impact" on Palestinian civilians, the Pentagon said Thursday.

Speaking during a press conference, spokesman Pat Ryder reiterated that Israel has to defend itself from attacks from Hamas and “prevent another October 7th from happening” at the same time.

"As this conflict has progressed, we've seen the unfortunate impact that it's had on the civilian population," said Ryder.

"And I'm very clear that we do not want to see innocent civilians killed, whether they be Palestinian or Israeli," he said.

In his remarks, Ryder reiterated that the US has been working closely with the international community to get humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

He said that while the US is also working to ensure what Israel needs to defend itself, it also recognizes the fact that more needs to be done to safeguard civilians in the battle space.

"We absolutely do not want to see innocent lives lost in this tragic conflict," he said, adding the US will continue to consult with Israel as Israelis look at how to address Hamas in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

"And we will continue to do what we can to not only ensure that civilians are taken into account but also look at how we can continue to get humanitarian assistance -- whether it's by land, sea or air -- to help the people of Gaza," he added.

Israel has killed more than 34,900 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 78,500 others following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7 last year which claimed 1,200 lives.

Over seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins, pushing 85% of the enclave’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January said it is "plausible" that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and ordered Tel Aviv to stop such acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in the enclave.