US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called on Israeli leaders to do more in delivering humanitarian aid to trapped civilians in northern Gaza as the military siege continues to force people to stay in their sites. Blinken expressed his worries over the meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and other top officials, stating that measures taken so far in terms of aid are not enough. He cautioned that if no action were taken to alleviate this humanitarian crisis then there would be implications of doing so under U.S. law which could effect military aid supplied to Israel.
Blinken’s visit is part of regional tours focused on reviving diplomatic efforts after Israel’s assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Over their discussions, Blinken confronted Israel about the alledgence of “surrender-or-starve” tactics in Gaza that forces civilians to be displaced. Israeli officials said it was not their policy, and the United States urged them to make it clear in public.
Israel is militarily pounding northern Gaza in a campaign targeted at the very existence of Hamas, but the U.S. has cautioned against expelling civilians by force to southern Gaza, where millions are already bunched together in vulnerable conditions. Aid groups have sounded an alarm over the growing risk of starvation and epidemics among civilians in Gaza.
Blinken’s pressure on Israel comes a day after a letter co-signed by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin gave the Israeli government 30 days to ramp up aid deliveries to Gaza. Although some progress has been reported, Blinken says much more needs to be done.
Another area of concern voiced by the U.S. was over recent reports that Iran attempted to assassinate Prime Minister Netanyahu with an alleged Hezbollah drone strike. According to Blinken, that was a “serious incident.” He, however did not say if it was an attack sanctioned by Iran. Incidentally, Blinken was also able to talk about the seemingly interminable conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, and how America has been trying to ease the situation and avoid any wider regional war.
Israel is said to be preparing a retaliatory strike on Iran following Tehran’s alleged involvement in the ballistic missile attack October 1, and the assassination by Israel of key figures in Hezbollah and Hamas.
