The United States is actively working to prevent armed conflicts within hospitals in the Gaza Strip, expressing concerns about the endangerment of civilian lives. Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Adviser, conveyed this stance to Israeli forces, emphasizing the need to avoid firefights in hospital settings.
In an interview with CBS News’ “Face the Nation” program on Sunday, Sullivan stated, “The United States does not want to see firefights in hospitals where innocent people, patients receiving medical care, are caught in the crossfire, and we’ve had active consultations with the Israeli Defense Forces on this.”
The Israeli army announced its readiness to evacuate infants from Gaza’s largest hospital. However, Palestinian officials reported that people, including two newborns, remained trapped inside, facing risks due to a power outage amid intense fighting nearby.
Sullivan highlighted the challenging conditions in hospitals in northern Gaza, which are struggling to care for patients amid the ongoing conflict. He noted that open-source information indicates Hamas is using hospitals and other civilian facilities for command and control, weapons storage, and housing fighters, which he characterized as a violation of the laws of war.
Addressing the evacuation of U.S. citizens from Gaza, Sullivan mentioned ongoing efforts, stating, “The gate has been open and closed. The lists have included Americans some days and not other days. But the bottom line is, today the gate is open. We are moving American citizens and their family members out.”