The United States’ Ambassador to the United Nations, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, expressed frustration at the Israeli military for strikes that killed multiple UN-aligned personnel. She called the loss of life “preventable” and emphasized the importance of protecting humanitarian workers and facilities like the UNRWA school targeted by the IDF.
The conflict between Israel and UN-aligned personnel came to light at a U.N. Security Council meeting. The Israeli Ambassador, Danny Danon, defended the strikes by accusing the UNRWA of harboring terrorists. On the other hand, Amb. Thomas-Greenfield highlighted the continued threat of Hamas embedding its members within civilian agencies.
The ongoing tension stems from a recent strike by the Israeli Defense Forces on a former school converted into a UNRWA shelter, resulting in casualties. While the Israeli government insists that the shelter housed terrorists, UNRWA denied any prior knowledge of Hamas involvement.
As the conflict escalates, Amb. Thomas-Greenfield stressed the need for all parties to prioritize the safety of civilians and halt the use of civilian sites for military operations.
While the situation remains complex, efforts to address the underlying issues and ensure the protection of innocent lives are crucial for lasting peace.