US asks Israel for explanation on Gaza strikes: report

Washington: The US government has raised concerns over recent Israeli strikes in Gaza, specifically targeting an ambulance convoy and a school-turned-refugee shelter, according to reports.

US officials have urged Israel to employ "precision strikes" in its ongoing conflict with Hamas to minimise harm to civilians.

Israeli ground forces have encircled Gaza's largest city in an effort to combat Hamas, retaliating for the October 7 attacks that resulted in an estimated 1,400 casualties within Israel. Recent Israeli airstrikes hit a refugee shelter, resulting in the reported death of 195 people, as stated by the Palestinian government.

Amidst the rubble of the damaged building, ambulance teams worked diligently to assist the injured and recover the deceased. Onlookers were left in shock and disbelief, with many expressing their grief.

Israel claims that its airstrikes have targeted two Hamas military leaders in Jabalia, Gaza's largest refugee camp. Israel contends that Hamas has deliberately established command centres and other "terror infrastructure within and around civilian buildings, thus putting Gaza's civilian population at risk."

The US government has sought clarification from Israel regarding the motives behind the airstrikes on the refugee camp, as reported by Politico.

"A question was posed to Israel regarding the initial [attack] on Jabalia," said a Biden administration official to Politico, emphasising that the discussion revolved around "urging Israel to take greater precautions to prevent civilian casualties."

Israel, however, has resisted calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, arguing that the region serves as the "epicentre of Hamas." Israel maintains that it is targeting Hamas militants, weapons storage facilities, tunnel networks, drone launch sites, and command centres within Gaza.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently engaging in talks with Arab foreign ministers in Jordan to seek a resolution to the month-long conflict in Gaza, after receiving no response from Israel.

Blinken visited Israel recently, with the aim of persuading Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to initiate "humanitarian pauses." The United States believes that such pauses could facilitate the release of around 240 individuals believed to be held captive by Hamas and enable the delivery of aid to Gaza's beleaguered population.

Netanyahu, however, has refused to agree to a "temporary truce" with Hamas unless the group releases the hostages.