Retired General Mark Milley Reflects on U.S. Military Actions While Discussing Gaza Conflict

  In a controversial statement at the Carter Center for Innovation and National Security conference in Washington, retired General Mark Milley, former chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2019 to 2023, drew parallels between U.S. military actions and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Addressing the criticism of Israel's military operations in Gaza, Milley highlighted the historical instances where the U.S. military was responsible for civilian casualties. "I feel terrible for the Gazans who are being killed every day in the war," Milley said, acknowledging the severe impact on civilians. "But let's not forget that we, the United States, also killed countless people in Mosul and Raqqa."

Expanding on his point, Milley reminded attendees that during the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Normandy, it's critical to remember that "America killed 12,000 French civilians" in that operation. He also referenced the extensive destruction in Japan during World War II, including the atomic bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and the firebombing of 69 other Japanese cities.

Milley's comments come against the backdrop of growing domestic unrest and international criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties. His statements appear to be an attempt to provide a broader historical context to the harsh realities of military engagements, where civilian casualties often occur.

Amidst this controversy, many American universities have begun to voice support for the Palestinian cause, expressing opposition to Washington's ongoing financial, military, and political backing of Israel. Milley concluded his remarks by touching on the nature of warfare: "War is a terrible thing, but if it is to have moral meaning, there must be a political purpose, and it must be done as quickly as possible and at the lowest possible cost."

The retired general's comments have ignited a firestorm of reactions, highlighting the complex and often painful discussions surrounding military ethics, historical accountability, and the search for peace in times of conflict.