US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, visiting Israel on Friday with the aim of reducing civilian casualties in the Gaza conflict, also reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense during its air and ground assault.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated Friday that Israel has the right and obligation to defend itself as it continues to pummel the Gaza Strip with an air and ground assault.
Soon after Blinken’s arrival he held separate meetings with Herzog and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Before his departure to Israel, Blinken said he would seek “concrete steps” from Israel to ensure that harm to Palestinian civilians is reduced, as US President Joe Biden also called for humanitarian pauses in the conflict.
This is Blinken’s second trip to the Middle East since fighting erupted on October 7 after Palestinian militant group Hamas carried out a massive attack on southern Israel that left 1,400 people dead, mostly civilians, according to Israeli officials.
Biden has promised full support and ramped-up military aid to Israel for its campaign in Gaza, but in a visible shift of tone has also voiced empathy for Palestinian suffering which has stoked anger in parts of the world.
“I think we need a pause,” Biden said on Thursday at a campaign event.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby later clarified what such a pause would entail.
“A humanitarian pause… is temporary, localized and focused, focused on a particular objective or objectives, humanitarian aid in, people out,” Kirby told reporters.
Katrine Dige Houmøller, with AFP
