The US government expresses concern over the shooting of a mother and daughter by Israeli forces at a Christian church in Gaza. 2023.12.19 Tue posted at 14:20 JST

https://www.cnn.co.jp/world/35212975.html

  

The United States expresses concern over the shooting death of a mother and daughter in a Gaza church by Israeli soldiers/Mohammed Saber/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/File

The United States expresses concern over the shooting death of a mother and daughter in a Gaza church by Israeli soldiers/Mohammed Saber/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/File

(CNN) U.S. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Public Affairs Kirby expressed concern on Wednesday after two women were killed by Israeli sniper fire at a church in the Gaza Strip. .

"We have been clear that we believe we must do everything possible to prevent civilian casualties," Kirby said.

Kirby said the United States has expressed concerns to the Israeli government about specific incidents and the need to ensure that injured civilians are evacuated and receive proper medical care.

According to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, shots were fired at a church in Gaza on the 16th as a mother and daughter were walking to a monastery.

Kirby said President Biden and other senior administration officials believe there is a need to create a conflict-avoidance channel with Israel as it carries out military operations against the Islamic group Hamas. .

Kirby said such channels are important to reduce miscalculations and misunderstandings in times of conflict.

Regarding the incident in which the mother and daughter were shot to death, Pope Francis lamented in a church service on the 17th that ``unarmed civilians are being targeted by bombings and shootings.''