The United States has reiterated that international humanitarian law applies to all parties involved in the Gaza conflict, following reports of Israeli forces killing 15 individuals, including paramedics, in a convoy.
The Israeli military claimed its forces targeted vehicles moving suspiciously without headlights or emergency signals, alleging that a Hamas operative and other militants were among those killed. However, this explanation has faced legal scrutiny, with critics arguing that such a defense is insufficient.
International humanitarian law prohibits attacks on civilians and mandates special protections for medical personnel. The U.S., as Israel’s primary arms supplier, is legally obligated to ensure that its weapons are not used in violations of humanitarian law. Human rights organizations have condemned the U.S. for providing military and diplomatic support that risks complicity in war crimes.
The deaths of the medics have drawn widespread international condemnation. Jonathan Whittall, a senior official with the UN’s humanitarian agency in Gaza, described the incident as horrifying, emphasizing that healthcare workers should never be a target.
