ISRAEL: US Alt Rep @ UN-Israel Undermines Goals w/Pattern Of Civilian Harm

Wires reporting comments from US Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations Robert Wood, regarding Israel's actions in Gaza. Says that 'there are alternatives to major Rafah operation that would better advance Israel's goal of defeating Hamas and also protect innocent Palestinians'. 

• Wood adds that 'Israel must do more to protect innocent Palestinians in Gaza', and that 'Israel undermines its strategic goals with continued pattern of significant civlian harm'. 
• These are some of the most critical comments to come from a US administration official during the course of the Israel-Hamas war so far. 
• As noted in our US Daily Brief, "Biden administration officials indicated yesterday that an Israeli air strike on a Hamas target in Rafah which killed nearly 50 displaced Palestinians did not cross ‘red lines’ set by President Biden in April, despite criticism from other Israel allies including the UK, France, and Canada."
• The continued military, financial, and political support of the US remains critical to Israel both with regard to its operations in Gaza and its broader security in the region. US President Joe Biden is under significant pressure from the progressive wing of his Democratic party to alter policy and walk back support for the Israeli gov'ts actions.