At least 30 killed, including children, after Israel targets weapons facility in Gaza

[Craig]

AT LEAST 30 PEOPLE ARE DEAD AFTER ISRAELI STRIKES IN NORTHERN GAZA – INCLUDING ONE ON A HOME WHERE DISPLACED FAMILIES WERE SHELTERING.

PALESTINIAN HEALTH OFFICIALS SAID TEN PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN A STRIKE EARLY TUESDAY – INCLUDING FOUR CHILDREN – THAT FOLLOWED A STRIKE LATE MONDAY NIGHT THAT LEFT AT LEAST 20 PEOPLE DEAD – INCLUDING 6 CHILDREN.

THE ISRAELI MILITARY SAID THE STRIKES WERE TARGETING A WEAPONS STORAGE FACILITY AND THAT QUOTE “NUMEROUS STEPS WERE TAKEN TO MITIGATE THE RISK OF HARMING CIVILIANS.”

THE STRIKES CAME AS THE UNITED NATIONS’ PALESTINIAN REFUGEE AGENCY SAID ISRAEL STARTED LETTING FEWER AID TRUCKS INTO GAZA – MAKING SHORTAGES OF FOOD, MEDICINE, AND OTHER ESSENTIALS WORSE.

ISRAEL DENIED THAT CLAIM.

MEANWHILE – THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS PUSHING ISRAEL TO ALLOW MORE HUMANITARIAN AID INTO GAZA.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT – SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN HAS REVIEWED ACTIONS ISRAEL HAS TAKEN TO INCREASE AID… AND TOLD THE COUNTRY’S DEFENSE MINISTER MORE NEEDED TO BE DONE.

IT COMES MORE THAN THREE WEEKS AFTER THE UNITED STATES WARNED IT WOULD CONSIDER RESTRICTING WEAPONS TRANSFERS TO ISRAEL – IF IT DID NOT TAKE STEPS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR CIVILIANS IN GAZA… INCLUDING ALLOWING AT LEAST 350 AID TRUCKS IN *PER DAY* AND TAKING HUMANITARIAN PAUSES TO ENABLE AID DELIVERIES.

BLINKEN AND DEFENSE SECRETARY LLOYD AUSTIN GAVE ISRAEL 30 DAYS TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OR RISK LOSING CRUCIAL MILITARY AID FROM THE U-S.