The Israeli strikes in Gaza and the U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have many similarities. Both have been accused of targeting civilians and are seen as legitimate targets. They are also accused of using tactics that are considered war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, neither has been investigated nor brought before international justice.
Below is a summary and analysis of the Department of State Press Briefing on June 6, 2024, addressing the situation in Gaza and Rafah.
Matthew Miller, the U.S. Department of State spokesperson, was asked whether Israel had crossed the ‘red line’ in its attack on Rafah, particularly when Israel hit a school housing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). This question was prompted by President Biden’s earlier reference to the situation. Mr. Miller clarified that although President Biden had mentioned it earlier, they have not seen a large-scale attack happen yet.
MR MILLER: “So, with respect to the policy that the President announced, he was speaking specifically to a large-scale operation in Rafah, and we have not yet seen a large-scale operation conducted in Rafah.”
The U.S. is evading responsibility by playing with words. Although there hasn’t been a “large-scale” attack on Rafah, there have been several smaller ones all over the Gaza Strip. These minor attacks are considered dangerous, and they have caused numerous deaths and significant injury to civilians and infrastructure. However, according to Mr. Miller’s explanation, Israel can make limitless “small-scale” attacks without crossing the “red line.”
When Mr. Miller was asked about the precision strikes that IDF is using against Palestinians in Gaza, he shifted the responsibility to Israelis. He confirmed that civilians seeking shelter inside schools were legitimate targets and were considered collateral damage.
MR MILLER: “Israel has a right to try and target those civilians but they also have the obligation to minimize civilian harm and take every step possible to minimize civilian harm.”
Even though there are more civilian casualties than militias, according to the U.S., Israel has the right to kill them without making any separation between militia and civilian targets. The U.S. itself used this same reasoning when it bombed Kunduz Hospital in Afghanistan on 3 October 2015. The airstrike killed 42 and injured over 30.
