Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan 9, 2024. (HANDOUT VIA XINHUA)
JERUSALEM – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed in Tel Aviv on Tuesday with Israeli officials the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and urged Israel to protect civilians in Gaza.
Blinken's visit marks his fourth trip to Israel since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October last year. The international community is increasingly concerned about Israeli attacks in Gaza, as the death toll in the Palestinian enclave has surpassed 23,000 and approximately 2 million people were displaced amid a severe humanitarian crisis.
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In his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the top US diplomat stressed "the importance of avoiding further civilian harm and protecting civilian infrastructure in Gaza", according to a statement released by his office.
The Secretary reiterated the need to ensure lasting, sustainable peace for Israel and the region, including by the realization of a Palestinian state.
US Department of State
He also reaffirmed US support for Israel's right to prevent the attacks of Oct 7 from being repeated.
Blinken and Netanyahu discussed "ongoing efforts" to release all remaining hostages and the US demand for increasing "the level of humanitarian assistance reaching civilians in Gaza”, the US Department of State said in a statement.
"The Secretary reiterated the need to ensure lasting, sustainable peace for Israel and the region, including by the realization of a Palestinian state," it read.
The Israel war cabinet declined Blinken's request to permit civilians to return to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip, saying it would allow it only after Hamas had released all of the hostages. However, the war cabinet approved Blinken's request to allow a United Nations delegation to visit the northern Gaza Strip.
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Blinken also met Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and the Israeli war cabinet in Tel Aviv.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (center left) meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (center right) in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan 9, 2024. (HANDOUT VIA XINHUA)
Gallant told Blinken that operations in the area of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip are expected to "intensify and continue until Hamas leadership is detected, and Israeli hostages return home safely”.
Blinken arrived in Israel on Tuesday after visiting Türkiye, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. He is scheduled travel to Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas before he departs for Cairo.
