KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said more needs to be done to “protect Palestinian civilians” in Gaza and that, without that, there will be “no partners for peace.
Speaking to reporters in Tel Aviv on Friday, Blinken also said, “we need to substantially and immediately increase the sustainable humanitarian assistance” into Gaza.
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed ally of Hamas, attacked Israeli military positions in northern Israel with drones, mortar fire and suicide drones on Thursday. The Israeli military said it retaliated with warplanes and helicopter gunships, and spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said civilians were wounded in the Hezbollah attacks.
Israel has promised to unleash vast destruction in Lebanon if all-out war erupts, accusing Hezbollah of hiding its military installation in the midst of residential areas. The two enemies fought an inconclusive monthlong war in 2006. Renewed fighting could also risk drawing Iran, which backs both Hamas and Hezbollah, into the conflict.
“We stand strongly for the proposition that Israel has not only the right but the obligation to defend itself, and to make sure that October 7 should never happen again," Blinken said. “How Israel does this matters and it is very important that when it comes to the protection of civilians who are caught in the crossfire of Hamas’ making that everything to be done to protect them and to bring assistance to those who so desperately need it.
More than 3,700 Palestinian children have been killed in 25 days of fighting, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. Bombardment has driven more than half the territory’s 2.3 million people from their homes. Food, water and fuel are running low under Israel’s siege, and overwhelmed hospitals warn they are on the verge of collapse.
Israel and the U.S. seem to have no clear plan for what would come next if Hamas rule in Gaza is brought down — a key question on Blinken’s agenda during the visit, according to the State Department.Meanwhile, military officials said Israeli forces have now completely encircled Gaza City, a densely packed cluster of neighborhoods that Israel says is the center of Hamas military infrastructure and includes a vast network of underground tunnels, bunkers and command centers.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says 'we need to do more to protect Palestinian civilians'KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said more needs to be done to “protect Palestinian civilians” in Gaza and that, without that, there will be “no partners for peace.
Read more »
Israel Latest: Blinken to Arrive as Military Encircles Gaza City(Bloomberg) -- Israeli troops encircled Gaza City and insisted a cease-fire isn’t on the table as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to arrive in...
Read more »
Israel Latest: Blinken to Arrive as Military Encircles Gaza CityIsraeli troops encircled Gaza City and insisted a cease-fire isn’t on the table as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to arrive in Tel Aviv for talks.
Read more »
Top U.S. diplomat lands in Israel as Gaza aid groups say situation 'beyond catastrophic'U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he disembarks from an aircraft during his visit to Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Tel Aviv, Nov. 3, 2023.
Read more »
Top U.S. diplomat lands in Israel as Gaza aid groups say situation 'beyond catastrophic'U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he disembarks from an aircraft during his visit to Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Tel Aviv, Nov. 3, 2023.
Read more »
Blinken Arrives in Israel for Third Visit Since Hamas AttackSecretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel for meetings focused on protecting Palestinian citizens in Gaza as well as ensuring that Americans and other...
Read more »