U. S. Court Says It Can't Order Gaza Evacuations

Recent Ruling:

• A U.S. judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking emergency evacuations for Palestinian Americans in Gaza.
• Judge Virginia Kendall stated she couldn't interfere with the government's foreign policy decisions.

Plaintiffs' Arguments:

• Nine Palestinian Americans filed the lawsuit.
• They argued for U.S. government assistance in evacuating them from the war zone, similar to other Americans.
• Highlighted hardships: destroyed homes, food shortages, and poor medical care.

Judge's Considerations:

• Judge Kendall noted the complexity of coordinating evacuations with other countries and determining eligibility.
• Acknowledged existing U.S. government evacuation plans.
• Mentioned that plaintiffs had either been evacuated or declined offers not including immediate family members.

Defendants:

• The lawsuit was filed against high-ranking U.S. officials, including:
• Former President Joe Biden
• Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken
• Their successors: Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, and Pete Hegseth

Casualties and Impact:

• Over 71,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza since the start of the war, per Gaza's health ministry.
• Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people and abducted 251 others in an attack on Israel.

Responses:

• The Council on American-Islamic Relations (representing the plaintiffs) had no immediate comment.
• The U.S. Department of State did not respond to requests for comment.