In a social media post commemorating 100 days of Israel’s war, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken faced criticism for failing to mention the approximately 24,000 Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian mission to the United Nations expressed disappointment, stating, “Shame on those who remain complicit and not call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.”
Blinken’s post on Sunday night focused solely on the captives taken by Hamas, emphasizing the US commitment to bringing them back. However, there was no mention of the significant loss of life, particularly among children. The Palestinian mission tweeted, “100 days and not a single mention of the nearly 24,000 killed – 1/2 of which are children. Shame on them.”
Since October 7, when Hamas launched a surprise attack inside Israeli territory, a total of 24,100 Palestinians, including more than 9,600 children, have been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza. Israeli authorities claim that Hamas fighters killed 1,139 people on that day and took over 200 captives, with 132 still remaining in Gaza. Tragically, at least 25 of the captives have died in captivity, according to Israeli officials.
The lack of acknowledgment of Palestinian casualties extended beyond Blinken’s social media post. Even the White House statement marking the 100th day of the war made no mention of the killings and the displacement of Gaza residents. Instead, US President Joe Biden focused on the captives, expressing concern for their wellbeing and highlighting the efforts made by the US to secure their release. Biden placed blame on Hamas for failing to extend a deal to return more captives.
Meanwhile, Israel’s bombardment of Gaza shows no signs of abating, leading to a deepening humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave. The war has also raised concerns about a potential regional spillover. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to continue the war until victory but faces domestic pressure to bring the captives back.
Global calls to end the war have intensified, with rallies taking place worldwide. The US capital witnessed one of its largest turnouts yet, as protesters urged an immediate ceasefire. Despite these pleas, the conflict persists, leaving the international community deeply concerned about the ongoing loss of life and the worsening situation in Gaza.
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