US urges Israel to protect civilians in Gaza

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed that Israel risks "strategic defeat" in the Gaza Strip if it does not make efforts to protect Palestinian civilians.

Speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California on December 2, US Defense Secretary Austin said he had "learned a few things about urban warfare" while fighting in Iraq and commanding the campaign against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS).

"IS is also deeply entrenched in urban areas. The international coalition against IS has made great efforts to protect civilians and establish humanitarian corridors, even in the most difficult battles," Mr. Austin said. "The lesson is not that urban warfare can be won by protecting civilians, but that it can only be won by protecting civilians."

According to the US Secretary of Defense, he urged Israeli leaders to avoid civilian casualties and stop violence against settlers in the West Bank.

"In this type of conflict, the focus is on civilians. If you get civilians to support the enemy, Israel will lose strategically rather than winning tactically," Mr. Austin stressed. "We will continue to urge Israel to protect civilians and ensure a steady flow of humanitarian aid."

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks at a press conference in California on December 1. Photo: AFP — US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks at a press conference in California on December 1. Photo: *AFP*

Austin’s comments come as US officials have stepped up warnings to Israel about the next phase of its Gaza campaign, after a temporary ceasefire expired on December 1. The Biden administration has warned that the operation in southern Gaza must be more precise than Israel’s campaign in the north.

The Pentagon chief stressed that Israel had an obligation to respond to the October 7 Hamas attack. However, he argued that it was important for allies to work together to prevent civilian casualties, especially when the conflict ends.

“This tragedy will be all the more tragic if all that awaits Israelis and Palestinians at the end of this terrible war is more insecurity, more anger and more despair,” the US defense secretary said. “Israelis and Palestinians have already paid a terrible price.”

The US Air Force delivered more than 27 tons of medical supplies, warm clothing and food to Gaza residents earlier this week. More aid flights are expected to arrive in the coming days, Mr. Austin confirmed.

He also stressed that the US would remain Israel's "best friend in the world " and that US support would remain unchanged. Mr Austin added that a two-state solution, while difficult, was the "only viable" way out of the conflict, so that people could "find a way to share the land they both call home".

Israel’s campaign in Gaza has sparked widespread outrage in the Middle East, leading to militant groups attacking US troops in the region and Israel. Israel has faced drones and missiles fired from Lebanon and Yemen, while US forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted in a series of attacks that have injured dozens of US service members.

Washington has accused Iran-backed forces of attacking US troops, and has responded with a series of airstrikes in recent weeks.

"We will not tolerate attacks on American service members. So these attacks must stop. If they do not stop, we will do what is necessary to protect our troops and hold the attackers accountable," Mr. Austin declared.

Gaza's health ministry said 15,200 people in the strip have been killed in Israeli retaliation, following a Hamas raid that killed 1,200 people in Israel on 7 October. Hamas said 240 people in Gaza have been killed since the ceasefire ended. The militant group is still holding about 140 hostages.

Huyen Le (According to AFP , Hill )

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