Explosions light-up the night sky above buildings in Gaza City as Israeli forces shell the Palestinian enclave, early on 18 May 2021 (Source: AFP)

The United States’ top military officer has warned the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas is creating instability beyond Gaza, saying it is “in no one’s interest to continue fighting”.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, speaking to journalists while flying to Brussels for a NATO meeting, urged both sides in the conflict to de-escalate, echoing comments from President Joe Biden, who has said he backs a ceasefire.

“There is a significant amount of casualties and I just think that that level of violence is destabilising beyond the limited area of Gaza,” Milley said late Wednesday, responding to a question about possible Iranian support for Hamas.

More than 200 Palestinians, including 61 children, have been killed since hostilities flared between the Jewish state and armed Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip last week, according to local authorities.

Ten people have died in rocket strikes launched at Israel.

On Monday, Washington blocked a draft UN resolution calling for a halt to the violence for the third time, although in a call with the Israeli prime minister, Biden said he backed a truce.

“No one is denying the right of Israel to defend itself,” Milley told reporters.

“But having said that, the level of violence that is there is at such a level that it is in no one’s interest to continue fighting… Civilians are being killed. Children are being killed.”

The violence between Hamas and Israel, which escalated after being sparked by unrest in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, is the worst since 2014.

Palestinian militants have fired around 3,350 rockets toward Israel, which has responded with relentless air strikes it says are targeting top Hamas commanders and military infrastructure.

“I believe that whatever the military objectives are out there, they need to be balanced against other consequences,” Milley continued.

“In my view, de-escalation is the smart course of action at this point for all parties concerned.”

— AFP

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
You May Also Like

Wagner chief to leave Russia in deal to ease crisis

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Wagner mercenary force, halted his troops’ advance, easing a severe security crisis in Russia. The Kremlin stated Prigozhin will depart for Belarus and will not face prosecution, averting a potential civil war. This sudden change resulted from Prigozhin’s decision to avoid further bloodshed in Russia.

Deadly blizzard leaves US in Christmas weekend deep freeze

by Maggy Donaldson A fearsome winter storm continued to pummel parts of…

DHL Global Trade Barometer: South Korea trade continues to face mild decline due to weak air trade, remains positive for certain key industries to grow

South Korea’s trade is set to experience moderate growth in the machinery…