Gaza war: Nearly 70 former US officials urge President Biden to warn Israel of consequences if...

Nearly 70 formerofficials of the United Stateson Wednesday (Mar 20) urged President Joe Biden to warn Israel of serious consequences if it denied civil rights and basic necessities to Palestinians and expanded settlement activity in the West Bank. In a letter to President Biden as seen by the news agency Reuters, the group said that Washington must be willing to take concrete action to oppose such practices by Israel.

The signatories included over a dozen former ambassadors, retired State Department officials, and former Pentagon, intelligence and White House officials. They underscored rising dismay in the US over Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip.

'Israel's operation necessary and justified'

The group said that Israel's operation against Hamas was necessary and justified, but the operation has been marked by repeated violations of international law banning indiscriminate killing and the use of weapons that do notdiscriminatebetween combatants and civilians.

"Tens of thousands of Gazan civilians have been killed, the majority of whom are women and children. Civilian killings of this nature and magnitude cannot be justified," the group added.

It further said that it supported Biden's call for an immediate ceasefire of at least six weeks, the establishment of a reliable humanitarian aid delivery system, and the release of hostages.

Netanyahu addresses Republicans

The group's letter came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that his country would continue its efforts to defeat Hamas in Gaza.Netanyahu made this remark during a conversation with Republicans via video link.

"We asked ... him for an update and we got it on the war, on the release of the hostages, and in the efforts to defeat Hamas. We told him Israel has every right to defend themselves and he said that's exactly what they continue to do," Senator John Barrasso told the news agency Reuters.

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Senator Jim Risch, meanwhile, said thatNetanyahu had addressed civilian casualties and the need to get more aid into Gaza. He said Netanyahu was "very supportive" of plans to build a temporary pier and bring in aid by sea.

"He's very sensitive to the fact that every civilian casualty is a very unfortunate event," Risch added.

(With inputs from agencies)