Israel has an unusual, even unprecedented,
burden in fighting this war.
Because Hamas uses hospitals and schools and other civilian facilities
for military purposes,
and has built a vast network of military tunnels under
civilian areas that puts innocent civilians in the crossfire.
It does not lessen Israel's responsibility to do all it
can to protect innocent civilians.
We believe Israel can and must do more to ensure
the protection and well-being of innocent civilians.
We do not believe what is happening in Gaza is
a genocide.
We have been firmly on record rejecting that proposition.
the United States will continue to lead international efforts to
surge humanitarian assistance throughout the Gaza Strip because innocent civilians
should never go without food,
water, medicine, shelter, sanitation, or other basic necessities.