Protesters gathered outside the American embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, to call for Joe Biden’s help in releasing hostages.
Some of the demonstrators carried posters reading “Save them from hell” and “Biden only you can save them”. Meanwhile, others carried American flags and lit off flares.
Over 100 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza after they were captured by Hamas during the 7 October attacks.
On his part, United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres has affirmed that the deaths would require an effective independent investigation.
Speaking in St. Vincent and the Grenadines ahead of a regional summit, Guterres said he was “shocked” by the latest episode in the war with Israel.
He was also asked about the failure of a recent Security Council resolution seeking a ceasefire.
Guterres said worsening geopolitical divides have “transformed the veto power into an effective instrument of paralysis of the action of the Security Council”.
“I am convinced that we need a humanitarian ceasefire and we need the unconditional and immediate release of hostages and that we should have a Security Council able to achieve these objectives,” he said.
Washington acknowledges the casualty toll of the Israeli war on Gaza. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that Israel has killed over 25,000 women and children since October 7th, emphasizing that Israel can and must do more to protect civilians.
During a congressional hearing, when asked about the number of Palestinian women and children killed by Israel, Austin responded, “Over 25,000.”
Austin also mentioned that approximately 21,000 precision-guided munitions have been sent to Israel since the onset of its war on Gaza.