US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Defense Cabinet in Jerusalem, as part of his tour of the Middle East.
The US State Department published a statement regarding Blinken’s meeting with Netanyahu and the Military Cabinet.
According to the statement, Blinken stated that the United States supports “Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law.”
Minister Blinken called on Israel to take all necessary precautions to prevent harm to civilians.
Blinken stressed that before any military operation in southern Gaza, civilians there must be protected and their needs taken into account.
During the meeting, issues of prisoner exchange and accelerating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza were also discussed.
Blinken also met with President Isaac Herzog before the War Cabinet meeting, and stated in his statement there that they would continue detailed discussions with the Israeli government about the roadmap to be followed in the Gaza Strip.
Before the meeting, Netanyahu said he wanted to discuss the “next phase” in attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip at the war cabinet meeting, which Blinken also attended.
The Palestinian President meets Abbas
Secretary Blinken later met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
According to the written statement issued by the US State Department, during the meeting, Blinken discussed ongoing efforts to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and said that he condemns extremist violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, and that he will continue to do so to insist that those responsible be held accountable.
The two sides also expressed the urgent need to take measures to enhance the security and freedom of Palestinians in the West Bank.
Blinken also said that the United States is committed to taking concrete steps toward establishing a Palestinian state.
Minister Blinken met with President Isaac Herzog today, and stated that they will continue detailed discussions with the Israeli government about the roadmap to be followed in the Gaza Strip.
Blinken, who also met with Netanyahu and Israel’s war cabinet, stated that the United States supports “Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law” and stated that before any military operation in southern Gaza, civilians there must be protected. He stressed the need to take their needs into consideration.
John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator for the White House National Security Council, noted that they do not support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, but would like to see a 7-day “humanitarian truce” extended to 8, 9, 10 and beyond.
He stated that Israel and Hamas must ultimately agree on the criteria for extending this agreement, and Kirby stated that the United States would support the extension of the “humanitarian truce.”
Kirby stressed that the field work completed last week to deliver more food, water, medicine and fuel to the people of Gaza should not be ignored, and that they are working hard to extend the “humanitarian truce.”
Recalling that Israel announced that it would continue its attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip when the “humanitarian truce” ends, Kirby stated that Israel has the “right and responsibility” to pursue Hamas.
Kirby said the United States would continue to support Israel and that “appropriate security measures” must be taken to protect civilians in southern Gaza and prevent harm to them.
Kirby stated that they are consistent and very clear that they do not support a military operation against southern Gaza unless “appropriate security measures” are taken, and that they have sent advisors and military experts to Israel to share their experiences in the war.
Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari also said they were ready to resume attacks on Gaza if the “humanitarian truce” reached with Hamas was not extended.
Hajri made his assessments regarding prisoner exchange and “humanitarian intervention” in his press conference.
The spokesman indicated that they expect other Israeli prisoners to be released this evening within the scope of the agreement reached.
Hajari said that they would continue their attacks on Gaza if the “humanitarian distance” ended, adding, “The Israeli army is ready to continue the conflict. We are ready to attack at any time tonight.” He said.
As part of a prisoner exchange deal reached between Israel and Hamas, hostilities in the Gaza Strip were suspended on 24 November and a four-day “humanitarian truce” was imposed. This “humanitarian truce” was extended for another 3 days after separate negotiations.
(Marks for translation) United States of America