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Live UpdateFrom the Liveblog of Tuesday, May 9, 2023
US Embassy laments ‘tragic’ civilian deaths in Gaza, says backing for Israel ‘ironclad’
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Palestinians gather near a damaged house after an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on May 9, 2023. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)
The US Embassy in Jerusalem laments the “tragic” loss of civilian life in this morning’s IDF airstrikes in Gaza while stressing its commitment to Israel’s security.
“We are closely following Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip that killed three leaders of Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” an embassy spokesperson says. “We are also aware of reports that 10 civilians were tragically killed in the Israeli strikes.”
“We call for all parties to deescalate the situation to protect noncombatants and prevent any further loss of civilian life,” the statement continues. The US commitment to Israel’s security remains ironclad.”
