• Blinken criticizes Israel for a gap in protecting civilians in the conflict with Hamas.
• Arab states' push for a humanitarian ceasefire through a U.N. Security Council resolution Friday morning.
• Social media shares footage of Palestinians surrendering to Israeli forces in Gaza.
  
  

Tel-Aviv – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in his most forceful public critique of Israel's actions in the conflict with Hamas in southern Gaza, stated that there is a noticeable disparity between the government's stated commitment to safeguarding civilians and the actual number of casualties.

"While we are now almost a week into this campaign in the southern region, it is crucial for Israel to prioritize the protection of civilians," Blinken remarked during a press conference held after a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron in Washington on Thursday.

He added, "There remains a discrepancy between the intention to safeguard civilians and the tangible outcomes that we are witnessing on the ground."

Israel maintains that it is compelled to eliminate the Hamas militant group following their attack on Israel two months ago, asserting that every effort is being made to evacuate civilians from harm's way, including issuing warnings about military operations.

On Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden separately discussed the situation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jordan's King Abdullah. The White House stated that Biden "underscored the critical importance of protecting civilians and creating a separation between the civilian population and Hamas, including the establishment of safe corridors for people to move safely away from defined conflict zones."

According to the Gaza health ministry, over 17,170 Palestinians have been killed and 46,000 wounded since October 7, when Israel commenced its bombardment of Gaza in response to a cross-border incursion by Hamas militants who control the enclave. Israel's count reports 1,200 people killed and 240 taken hostage in the Hamas attack.

On Thursday, hundreds more Palestinians lost their lives as Israel engaged in combat with Hamas militants in the largest cities of the Gaza Strip, with the Gaza health ministry spokesperson Ashraf Al-Qidra reporting 350 casualties. Israel claimed that its forces killed several gunmen in Khan Younis, including two who emerged firing from a tunnel.

Arab states seek a humanitarian ceasefire through a U.N. Security Council draft resolution

Members of the UN Security Council stand in silence to honour those affected by the Israel-Palestine conflict during a November meeting

Arab nations have renewed their efforts for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, prompting the United Arab Emirates to request a vote on a draft resolution at the U.N. Security Council on Friday morning. The United States and its ally, Israel, oppose a ceasefire, asserting that it would only benefit Hamas. Secretary of State Blinken is scheduled to meet with top diplomats from Arab states, including Egypt, in Washington on Friday.

The draft resolution was revised to emphasize the protection of both the Palestinian and Israeli civilian populations in accordance with international humanitarian law. It also includes a demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

For the resolution to be adopted, it requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the five permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, France, or Britain. Currently, the U.S. does not support any further action by the council.

Social media shares footage of Palestinians allegedly surrendering to Israeli forces in Gaza

Palestinian men said to have surrendered to the IDF in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza on December 7, 2023. (Courtesy - Social media)

Numerous video clips and images circulated on social media Thursday depicting dozens of Palestinians being detained by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza, seemingly surrendering to troops as the military continued its operations in the region.

The individuals, suspected of affiliations with Hamas and other terror groups, were observed in various locations in the northern Strip, including Palestine Square in Gaza City and Jabaliya, stripped down to their underwear, blindfolded, and with their hands tied behind their backs. In one video, a group was being transported in Israeli military vehicles. IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari seemed to confirm in his evening briefing that these men had indeed surrendered to the army.

Hagari stated, "Jabaliya and Shejaiya are 'centers of gravity' for terrorists, and we are fighting them. They are hiding underground and come out, and we fight them. Whoever is left in those areas, they come out from tunnel shafts, and some from buildings, and we investigate who is linked to Hamas, and who isn't. We arrest them all and interrogate them."

According to the United Nations, over 80 percent of Gazans are believed to be displaced from their homes due to the ongoing conflict, initiated when Hamas terrorists breached the border, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties in Israel and 240 hostages taken, with around 140 still believed to be held in the Strip.

Amid intense fighting in northern and central Gaza, Palestinians are reportedly moving south to Rafah and other areas along the border with Egypt, where family homes are densely packed, and makeshift shelters are overwhelmed.