U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is reminding Israeli leaders of the need for Israel to comply with international law as it prosecutes it war against Hamas in Gaza. Blinken also said it is imperative that Israel take great care to avoid civilian casualties if it starts major military operations in southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought shelter after fleeing their homes in the northern part of the territory.
Quick Read
- Blinken’s Reminder to Israel: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reminded Israeli leaders about adhering to international law during the war against Hamas in Gaza.
- Call for Care in Military Operations: Blinken emphasized the importance of Israel taking measures to avoid civilian casualties, particularly in southern Gaza where many Palestinians have taken refuge.
- U.S. Support for Peace Process: He stressed the U.S.’s interest in resuming peace talks aimed at establishing a Palestinian state, a concept Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not support.
- Cease-Fire Extension: Blinken’s remarks came after Israel and Hamas agreed to extend their cease-fire for the third time.
- State Department’s Statement: The U.S. supports Israel’s right to self-defense in compliance with international law, and Blinken urged Israel to minimize civilian harm.
- Shift in U.S. Rhetoric: The Biden administration’s stance has evolved from strong support for Israel to a more measured approach due to rising Palestinian civilian casualties and international criticism.
- Blinken’s Emphasis on Civilian Protection: He highlighted the need for considering civilian needs in Gaza and holding accountable settler extremists for violence in the West Bank.
- Meetings with Israeli and Palestinian Leaders: Blinken met with Netanyahu and his war Cabinet in Jerusalem, followed by discussions with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.
The Associated Press has the story:
Blinken urges Israel to comply with international law in war against Hamas
Newslooks- TEL AVIV, Israel
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is reminding Israeli leaders of the need for Israel to comply with international law as it prosecutes it war against Hamas in Gaza.
Blinken also said it is imperative that Israel take great care to avoid civilian casualties if it starts major military operations in southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought shelter after fleeing their homes in the northern part of the territory.
He said the U.S. places great importance on the resumption of a peace process that would eventually lead to the creation of a Palestinian state, something that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes.
Speaking Thursday just hours after Israel and Hamas agreed at the last minute to a third extension of their cease-fire agreement, Blinken told Netanyahu that the U.S. will continue “support for Israel’s right to protect itself from terrorist violence in compliance with international humanitarian law and urged Israel to take every possible measure to avoid civilian harm,” the State Department said.
The message aligned with the Biden administration’s shifting rhetoric on the war, which began as a full-throated embrace of Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks but gradually tempered as the number of Palestinian civilian casualties began to rise, prompting widespread international criticism.
To prevent a further exponential increase in civilian casualties, Blinken “stressed the imperative of accounting for humanitarian and civilian protection needs in southern Gaza before any military operations there and urged immediate steps to hold settler extremists accountable for violence against Palestinians in the West Bank,” the State Department said Blinken told Netanyahu.
Blinken met with Netanyahu and his war Cabinet in Jerusalem before traveling to the occupied West Bank for talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
