The US State Department has stated that the Palestinian militant group Hamas is primarily responsible for the ongoing situation in Gaza.
During a press briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters that the current circumstances in Gaza could be attributed to Hamas’ actions.
Bruce further emphasised that the Trump administration has consistently made decisions in line with the desires of the American public, ensuring the country’s safety and the respectful implementation of its values.
She also reiterated that the US has already designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a foreign terrorist organisation and stressed the need to halt the spread of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Additionally, Bruce mentioned that all individuals entering the US are required to comply with American laws.
The Israeli occupation of Gaza began in 1967 during the Six-Day War, when Israel captured Gaza, which had been under Egyptian control.
This occupation and the broader oppression of Palestinians began long before the creation of Hamas in 1987, which was established during the first Palestinian intifada (uprising) as a response to the Israeli occupation and other factors.
An Israeli imposed blockade since 2007 has also led many to describe beseiged Gaza as the “world’s largest open-air prison.”
The Israeli army also launched a surprise aerial campaign on Gaza on March 18, killing over 1,000 people since then and shattering the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.
At least 322 children have been killed and 609 injured in Gaza over the past 10 days following the breakdown of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Monday.
Overall, more than 50,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the Israeli military onslaught in Gaza since October 2023.
Israel is currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where South Africa has accused it of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention during its military operations in Gaza.
In January 2024, the ICJ issued provisional (emergency) measures, ordering Israel to prevent acts of genocide and ensure humanitarian aid reaches Palestinians. While the court did not call for a ceasefire, the case—which could take years to conclude—has drawn global attention and sharp diplomatic divisions
Washington has opposed the case, pressuring the ICC to avoid targeting Israeli officials and retaliating against South Africa—including expelling a South African envoy under dubious pretexts.
Meanwhile, several international rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have also described Israel’s policies towards Palestinians as apartheid.
Earlier, an Israeli airstrike early on Tuesday in the southern suburbs of Beirut killed at least three people and injured seven, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
The strike further tests the delicate four-month ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
The Israeli military stated it targeted a Hezbollah militant who had allegedly been involved with Hamas operatives.
The attack came just days after a similar strike in the same Hezbollah stronghold area, known as the Dahiyeh, though Hezbollah did not immediately confirm the identity of the target.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the airstrike, calling it a “dangerous warning” that could signal premeditated Israeli aggression.
He emphasised the need for Lebanon to strengthen its diplomatic efforts and seek international support for its sovereignty. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also criticised the attack, calling it a violation of U.N. Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire terms.
Reports from the scene indicated significant damage to the upper floors of a building, with windows blown out but lower floors remaining intact. No evacuation warning had been issued before the strike, and families fled the area after the attack.
