Your current location:HOME >health >US defense chief denies genocide committed in Gaza 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 14:07:20 Source: Internet compilationEdit:health
Washington —The Pentagon is not backing off on its support for Israel, despite growing frustration b
The Pentagon is not backing off on its support for Israel, despite growing frustration by some U.S. lawmakers that Israel is crossing ethical lines as it goes after Hamas in Gaza.
During a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday interrupted multiple times by protesters accusing Israel — and the United States — of having innocent blood on its hands, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pushed back.
Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican, asked Austin: "Is Israel committing genocide in Gaza?"
Austin replied: "Senator Cotton, we don't have any evidence of genocide."
But under repeated questioning, Austin acknowledged Israel’s military can and must do more to differentiate between Hamas militants and civilians.
"There’s no question that there have been far too many civilian casualties in this conflict,” he said.
Austin said he has warned his Israeli counterpart that a failure to allow the delivery of much more humanitarian aid to Gaza “would just create more terrorism.”
As for continued talk by Israel about an operation to root out Hamas in Rafah, the secretary of defense was blunt. “It cannot be what we’ve seen in the past in terms of the type of activities that we've seen in Gaza City and in Khan Yunis,” he said.
Not all lawmakers were satisfied with those answers. Some expressed frustration that Washington has been forced to step in.
"There's no reason the United States should have to build a pier in the eastern Mediterranean. There's no reason we should have to airdrop supplies,” said Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat. "The pace of humanitarian aid is insufficient."
Other lawmakers put blame on Hamas. Austin agreed that the U.S.-designated terror group’s ongoing conduct continues to amount to war crimes.
The hearing was about President Joe Biden's budget request for the Department of Defense.
French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti2024-05-21 14:01
Woman Overcomes Hearing Loss, Aims for PhD2024-05-21 13:51
Pic Story of Sanitation Worker as NPC Deputy2024-05-21 13:41
China issues guidelines for enforcement of 102024-05-21 13:00
Strictly star Giovanni Pernice's former partner Rose Ayling2024-05-21 12:39
Craftswoman Promotes Rural Vitalization by Developing Family's Tea Business2024-05-21 12:05
Chinese vice premier stresses importance of sci2024-05-21 12:00
Chinese vice premier stresses importance of sci2024-05-21 11:42
Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf is spotted on the streets of Gavin and Stacey's hometown Barry2024-05-21 11:29
Elderly Couple Defies Age, Completing 100 Marathon Races2024-05-21 11:26
Strictly star Giovanni Pernice's former partner Rose Ayling2024-05-21 13:22
Feature: Guardian of Marine Species in China's Hainan2024-05-21 13:17
Rural Entrepreneur Helps Farmers Attain Wealth by Raising Cattle2024-05-21 13:02
Across China: Ethnic Bai Woman Travels Far to Promote Cultural Heritage2024-05-21 13:00
The fightback begins: Boss of London's Queen Mary University tells pro2024-05-21 12:37
Taiwan Flutist Living Her Best Life in Fujian2024-05-21 12:15
Spring Bud Blooms2024-05-21 12:09
'Chestnut Princess' Helps Rural Residents Promote Agricultural Products via Livestreaming2024-05-21 11:42
Amir Khan's £11.5m luxury wedding venue finally hosts its first marriage: Bride arrives on horse2024-05-21 11:34
Special School Teacher Educates Minds and More of Hospitalized Students2024-05-21 11:25