Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured unwavering U.S. support for Israel while acknowledging the legitimate Palestinian aspirations, as Israel and Hamas exchanged heavy fire in the Gaza war.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed on a visit Thursday that the United States will “always” back Israel but said the Palestinians also had “legitimate aspirations” not represented by militant group Hamas.
“You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself. But as long as America exists, you will never, ever have to. We will always be there by your side,” Blinken said during a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as war raged between Israel and Hamas.
Israel and Hamas traded more heavy fire Thursday in the Gaza war that has killed thousands, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited to stress strong solidarity but also urge restraint to protect Palestinian civilians.
“Every Hamas member is a dead man,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the traumatized nation after forming a wartime government Wednesday, likening Hamas to the Islamic State group and vowing to “crush them and destroy them.”
“We have seen little children tied up and shot in the head, people burned alive, young girls raped and massacred, fighters beheaded,” he said in a televised speech. “What horror, what suffering.”
US President Joe Biden strongly backed Israel and started sending military aid, also cautioned on Wednesday that Israel must, despite “all the anger and frustration … operate by the rules of war”.
Israeli army spokesman Richard Hecht said Thursday the military was readying for a potential order to launch a ground invasion in the war with Hamas: “This has not been decided yet… But we are preparing for a ground maneuver if it is decided.”
“Right now, we are focused on taking out their senior leadership,” he told journalists.
The United States has deployed an aircraft carrier battle group to the eastern Mediterranean in a show of support and warned Israel’s other enemies not to enter the conflict.
Blinken was on Friday due to visit Jordan and meet King Abdullah II as well as the president of the Palestinian Authority Mahmud Abbas.
With AFP
