US does not ‘want to see hospitals struck from the air’: State Department

WASHINGTON

The US wants to see hospitals in Gaza protected and does not want to see hospitals struck from the air, according to the State Department on Thursday.

“We don't want to see hospitals struck from the air,” spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters during a daily press briefing while also accusing Hamas of using hospitals to “embed their fighters”.

“It can be appropriate for Israel to conduct limited military operations with respect to hospitals, but we want to see them do it in a way that minimizes civilian casualties,” he said.

“We do not want to see hospitals in the middle of firefights. We do not want to see patients put at risk,” he added, noting the previous US call for the evacuation of hospitals when appropriate.

The remarks came after on Wednesday night raided Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City for the second time in less than 24 hours.

Miller also said Israel needs to ensure that civilians are safe, adding that there is an active ongoing conversation between the US and Israel regarding the issue.