Miller, the State Department spokesperson, was questioned about video footage that showed four decomposing newborns in the abandoned Al Nassr Pediatric Hospital in northern Gaza.
Hospital workers later told the Washington Post that they were forced to abandon the premature infants – who required incubators, oxygen and regular medical care – after receiving an ultimatum from Israel’s military to leave the hospital or face bombardment.
Asked if the incident constitutes a war crime, Miller responded, “I would say that is a tragedy.”
He continued, “It’s a tragedy for those babies. It’s tragedy for their family members. It’s a tragedy for the Palestinian people and it is a tragedy for the world. And this is why we have made clear that far too many Palestinians have been killed in this conflict, and that, of course, includes far too many Palestinian children and of course, Palestinian babies.
“And it is why we have taken every measure we could to speak loudly and clearly to the government of Israel that it needs to do everything it can to minimise civilian harm.”
The Biden administration continues to resist calls to back a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. While US officials have increasingly stressed the need for Israel to protect civilians, rights advocates have condemned Washington for failing to pressure Israel to stop the war.