WASHINGTON: A US senator expressed concern about the civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Chris Murphy, a Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, emphasized the importance of a more targeted approach by Israel to reduce civilian casualties.
In an interview, Senator Murphy stated, “I think that the civilian death toll has been too high, and a more surgical approach would be important and vital.” He acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defense but stressed the need to avoid unnecessary harm to civilians. He pointed out that Hamas often operates from civilian areas, such as hospitals, schools, and mosques, making it challenging to separate combatants from non-combatants.
Senator Murphy also highlighted the strategic implications of high civilian casualties, stating, “I am concerned that if Israel’s strategy and end goal are to defeat Hamas, then this pace of civilian casualties, which certainly comes with a moral cost, also comes with a strategic cost.” He cautioned that a reckless response that does not limit civilian deaths may contribute to the radicalization of individuals and lead to more conflict in the future.
Along with 20 of his Senate colleagues, Senator Murphy sent a letter to US President Joe Biden, urging Israel to “abide by the laws of war” and prioritize the protection of civilians. The letter also called for lessons to be learned from past counterterrorism efforts.
