Growing Discontent Among U.S. Military Over Gaza Conflict
The death of 6-year-old Hind Rajab in Gaza has sparked a wave of conscientious objection among U.S. military personnel. Larry Hebert Jr., an active-duty U.S. airman, was deeply affected by the incident, leading him to apply for conscientious objector status. Hebert, who worked on a U.S. operation providing arms sales to Israel, expressed his disillusionment with the ongoing violence, stating, 'It is totally unjustified to support what is happening.'
Rising Civilian Death Toll and Calls for Ceasefire
The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated dramatically on October 7 last year, resulting in the death of 1,200 people and the taking of 240 hostages by Hamas militants. Israel's retaliatory strikes have led to a rising civilian death toll, with local authorities reporting over 37,000 Palestinian casualties, most of them minors. This has intensified international calls for a ceasefire, including from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who emphasized the need for a ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid.
Impact on U.S. Domestic Politics and Military Personnel
The Biden Administration's support for Israel has faced political pressure domestically. A national poll by NBC News revealed that 57% of Hispanics disapprove of Biden's handling of the conflict. This discontent is echoed within the U.S. military, where airmen like Juan Bettancourt are also seeking conscientious objector status. Bettancourt highlighted the emotional toll of witnessing the devastation in Gaza, stating, 'I see the slaughter of thousands of innocent civilians while the world watches on their cell phones.' Both Hebert and Bettancourt hope their actions will lead to a shift in U.S. policy regarding the conflict.
- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. He emphasized the chaos and lack of authority in the region, which hinders aid distribution. Guterres stated, 'We face extreme difficulty in distributing humanitarian aid inside Gaza, and there must be a mechanism to ensure the availability of the minimum level of law and order that allows this distribution to take place.'
- U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq also highlighted the challenges posed by the ongoing war and crime, which prevent humanitarian aid from reaching vital areas like the Kerem Shalom crossing. Haq called on Israeli authorities to restore public order and facilitate safe access to aid for civilians in desperate need. The United Nations has repeatedly warned of the risk of famine in Gaza, affecting over two million people.
