US Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington was on Israel’s side and that he personally understood “the harrowing echoes that Hamas’ massacres carry for Israeli Jews.”
Blinken in Israel: In his most direct appeal to date, Blinken asked Israel to exercise prudence in its reaction and to take all feasible measures to preserve civilian life from a podium adjacent to the Israeli Prime Minister at the military headquarters in Tel Aviv on Thursday.
As Israel launches its most intense bombing assault in the 75-year history of its struggle with the Palestinians, Washington’s top diplomat left for a multi-nation Middle East tour, pledging to wipe out Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, as retaliation for the fighters’ weekend onslaught.
Blinken will also work to accelerate negotiations with Israelis and Egyptians on ensuring a safe exit for civilians in Gaza from the enclave ahead of a potential Israeli ground attack. Hostages held by Hamas, some of whom are believed to be Americans, are being held prisoner.
He said that the Hamas attacks resulted in at least 25 American deaths.
“You might be able to defend yourself on your own. But you won’t ever have to as long as America is around. For as long as you need us, we’ll remain by your side, Blinken assured Netanyahu.
Additionally, he added a touching, private aside about how his stepfather had escaped Nazi concentration camps and how his grandfather had fled pogroms in Russia.
He remarked, “I comprehend personally the horrible resonances that Hamas’ atrocities carry for Israeli Jews, indeed, for Jews everywhere.
After visiting Israel, Blinken will travel to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah and Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority. US officials state that he is likely to move on to other Arab nations without saying which.
Blinken’s visit also attempts to prevent Iran, which supports Hamas, from interfering in the conflict.
Distinctive standard
Israel has pledged retaliation in response to the bloodiest attack on Jewish people in its history, which occurred on Saturday when hundreds of Hamas fighters stormed the barrier line and ransacked Israeli villages.
The region is experiencing the most dramatic surge in years.
According to Blinken, Netanyahu and he discussed how Israel will protect itself in order to ensure that a cross-border strike never occurs again.
By aiming for a higher standard, even when it’s challenging, “we democracies distinguish ourselves from terrorists,” he said. “That’s why it’s so crucial to take every safety measure to protect civilians,”
Blinken added that Washington would cooperate with Congress to make sure Israel’s defence needs were satisfied as they changed.
Israel declared, “We will not allow a humanitarian break in the Gaza Strip’s siege until we have released all captives.”
Under the condition of anonymity, a senior State Department official stated that Washington was seeking to expedite negotiations for the safe passage of civilians, including the 500 to 600 Palestinian Americans living in Gaza.
Washington places a high premium on keeping the dispute under control, therefore Blinken has been in contact with partners in the region that deal with Iran and organisations backed by Iran to persuade them to urge Tehran to stay out of the fray.
The official declared, “We’re very intent on proving our commitment to keeping other parties out of this conflict.”