Controversy Surrounds US official for ‘creepy smirking’ over Gaza death toll
Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, has once again stirred controversy with his remarks regarding the death toll in Gaza, prompting accusations of insensitivity and sparking widespread criticism.
In a recent State Department briefing, Miller came under attack when asked to explain the reported deaths from Gaza, which are enumerated in a report by the Lancet medical journal. Death data, considering the events that had happened after October 7, were estimated and given by the government of Gaza as approximately 38,200. However, this data might be close to 186,000, which is 8% of the population of Gaza before the war.
Journalists, including Said Arikat, addressed Miller with questions on these figures. His reply did point towards the possibility of a higher death toll where he said that the Biden administration knew that the deaths in Gaza “could very well be more” than what has formally been recorded.
Still, during the conversation, journalist Sam Husseini claimed that Miller smirked while discussing such a severe subject, pointing to what he considered to be improper manners based on the topic being discussed.
Even in the current situation in Gaza, where more and more civilians get killed and massive destruction is observed, the US support for Israel does not change: it contributes to the military and provides moral support during the conflict. Joe Biden does not comment on the Palestinian tragedy very often, mentioning that the death toll in Gaza has reached 248 people, while many states urge Israel to stop what some of them call ethnic cleansing.
Yelling, which accompanies the destruction in Gaza, makes it hard to precisely have the number of fatalities as highlighted by the Lancet report. It pointed out that the reported deaths probably take a significant toll on the actual number as the survivors may still be unaccounted for, and the ongoing conflict and socio-political tribulations make it challenging to establish the number.
Critics noted that Miller’s utterances are not novelties but were observed in the past. Earlier, he was criticised for his words said during the press conferences as well as statements seen as the defence of the Israelis’ actions against civilians and denial of the genocide accusations.
In one instance, Miller at the time said that the Israelis had the right to kill the civilians, a statement he later corrected to mean that he meant the Israelis had the right to kill Hamas militants, not civilians. His utterances have continued to attract criticism from other human rights groups and people across the international community, saying that such remarks are counterproductive for accountability and justice for atrocity cases in areas such as Gaza.
As people clamour for a ceasefire and deliveries of humanitarian aid, the Lancet underlined the necessity of international intervention to stop people’s deaths and respond to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Broadly, it urged the need to record the actual dimensions of the conflict to ensure that the heirs of the war comprehend them in the post-war reconstruction process.
Matthew Miller’s position as a representative also remains a focus of concern as the battle persists in the area, raising difficult discussions on problems with international relations and disaster attention. Whether it be in a constructive or inflammatory manner, his statements have given voice to more discussions on America’s approach to diplomacy in the Middle East as well as the ramifications it has on human rights and wars.
