Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a joint appearance with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, labeled Hamas as the “enemy of civilization”, emphasizing the need for a resolute stance against them. Netanyahu compared the group’s actions to ISIS and stressed that nations should not shelter Hamas militants, urging for sanctions against such states. He strongly condemned acts including the killing of children and other heinous crimes attributed to Hamas.
Secretary Blinken, representing the US, reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering support for Israel. Addressing Netanyahu, Blinken emphasized his dual role, saying, “I stand before you not only as the US Secretary of State but also as a Jew.” He added a poignant message, “Israel may be powerful enough to defend itself, but with America’s existence, it will never have to stand alone.” Blinken warned potential adversaries not to exploit the ongoing crisis to target Israel, emphasizing that “The United States has Israel’s back.”
As the conflict escalates and civilians remain under the shadow of Hamas, Blinken emphasized the importance of avoiding harm to innocents. During his Middle East visit, Blinken plans to facilitate the release of hostages, including 97 identified by Israel, some of whom are Americans. He will also discuss establishing a humanitarian passageway in Gaza.
Israel maintains a blockade on the Gaza Strip, insisting it will continue until all Hamas hostages are released. The blockade’s impact is so profound that the Red Cross has urgently requested fuel access, warning of dire consequences in hospitals serving the area’s 2.3 million residents.
