Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, is warning Israel that by intensifying its conflict with Hamas without promptly addressing the humanitarian needs of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, it runs the danger of threatening any potential for lasting peace in the region.
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Blinken made a straightforward call to Israel, urging them to temporarily halt military operations in the region. This pause would facilitate the prompt and enhanced delivery of aid. He emphasized that the ongoing situation would push Palestinians towards greater extremism and ultimately extinguish any chances of resuming peace negotiations to resolve the conflict.
“There will be no partners for peace if they’re consumed by humanitarian catastrophe and alienated by any perceived indifference to their plight," Blinken said. Even , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promptly dismissed the proposal of a temporary ceasefire without the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas, asserting that Israel will continue with its operations steadfastly. Previously Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "going with full steam ahead".
The remarks made by the Biden administration to journalists in Tel Aviv after their meetings with Netanyahu and other high-ranking officials were some of their most forceful warnings to Israel since the devastating Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 civilians and soldiers.
But the remarks were also tempered by Blinken's continued support for Israel's “right and obligation to defend itself, defend its people and take the steps necessary to try to ensure that this never happens again.”
He expressed how deeply affected he was after watching more videos, presented to him by the Hamas militants who perpetrated the attacks in Israel. These videos included a heart-wrenching scene of a father being killed in front of his young children.
“It is striking, and in some ways shocking, that the brutality of the slaughter has receded so quickly in the memories of so many, but not in Israel and not in America,” he said.
Simultaneously, he expressed being deeply disturbed by the visuals of deceased and injured Palestinian children in Gaza.
“When I see that, I see my own children. How can we not?” he said, adding “Hamas doesn’t care one second or iota for the welfare and well-being of the Palestinian people.”
The Middle East trip by Blinken occurred at a time when the United States had growing concerns that the conflict in Gaza could spread throughout the region. The leader of Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran, heightened fears of an escalating war by pledging additional attacks along the Lebanon border.
Blinken emphasized the need for Israel, regional countries, the United States, and others to start considering the future of Gaza in the event that Hamas is no longer in power. He stressed that returning to the situation before October 7th should not be an option.
In his first public speech since the war began, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah stated that his group had actively joined the battle during the recent weeks of unprecedented fighting across borders. He hinted at the possibility of further escalation but did not explicitly state that Hezbollah was fully participating in the war.
Nasrallah expressed concerns about Hamas maintaining governance in Gaza, as it would continue to pose a threat to Israel.
“Within those parameters we will continue to have discussions in the region and our partners about what should follow once Hamas is defeated," Blinken said.
The complexity of the situation, as well as Blinken's call for Israel to consider a pause, became evident on Friday. Netanyahu, having met with the American official, firmly rejected the possibility of a cease-fire unless it included the return of the 240 people who were taken hostage by Hamas during their attack.
To aid Israel in locating these hostages, the U.S. has deployed MQ-9 drones over Gaza to gather intelligence and assist in locating their whereabouts, according to an anonymous U.S. official discussing the ongoing operations.
The families of the hostages have intensified their pressure on the Israeli and U.S. governments since the attacks, urging them to locate and bring their loved ones home before Israel proceeds with any large-scale ground operations. The use of drones in this operation was initially reported by Reuters.
According to ABC NEWS.
