25,000 Palestinian Women And Children Killed In Gaza Strip Since October 7, Austin Tells Congress

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told members of Congress on Thursday that more than 25,000 Palestinian women and children have been killed by Israeli forces since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

When asked by a House Armed Services Committee hearing for the number of women and children killed in the Gaza Strip by Israel, Austin replied: “It’s over 25,000.”

Gaza’s health ministry recently said the total tally of Palestinian deaths was 30,000, including men, women and children, but the ministry is controlled by Hamas and the veracity of these claims has been questioned.

Israel has countered, saying that it has killed at least 10,000 Hamas-linked fighters during its air and ground operations in the territory, but is coming under increasing scrutiny over its claims.

Amnesty International has said it has evidence of “probable war crimes” by Israeli forces, while President Joe Biden and other world leaders are becoming increasingly frustrated by the death toll.

In an interview this week, the president said that Israel still had the “overwhelming support” of most nations, but warned its “incredibly conservative government” risked losing support around the world as the civilian death toll rises and as it frustrates attempts to broker a cease fire.

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Reports Of 100 Killed Waiting For Aid

Earlier on Thursday, more than 100 Palestinians were reported to have been killed as Israeli forces allegedly fired on a crowd of people waiting for aid to be delivered in northern Gaza.

The health ministry blamed Israeli forces, while Palestinian media cited sources who had seen Israeli soldiers fire at the crowd. Israel said dozens of Palestinians had been trampled to death in the crowd or run over as they flocked around lorries delivering aid.

Fares Afana, a paramedic on the scene, told the Associated Press that ambulance crews had found “dozens or hundreds” lying on the ground, with some of the dead and wounded being transported on aid lorries and donkey carts.

Cease-Fire Hopes For Next Week

But still there was no news on an imminent cease fire. Biden had, earlier in the week, expressed hope and optimism that an agreement could be struck by Monday.

On Thursday, the president was a little more doubtful. “Probably not by Monday, but I’m still hopeful,” he told reporters.

In the meantime, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, used U.S. polling that suggested a majority of Americans still supported Israel to reinforce his campaign for “absolute victory” over Hamas.

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