Israeli government official: “Biden administration understands the need to dismantle Hamas”
Several hours of talks with the War Cabinet at the National Guard headquarters… discussing war plans
U.S. State Department: “United States emphasizes firm support for Israel’s right to self-defense”
Axios, an American online media outlet, reported on the 16th (local time) that the United States pressured Israel to resolve the humanitarian crisis in order to receive support for the ground war in Gaza.
Citing multiple Israeli government officials, Axios said that U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on this day and emphasized that Israel must resolve the humanitarian crisis in order to continue to receive international support for ground operations in the Gaza Strip. He also called for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza.
An Israeli government official said, “The Biden administration understands the need to dismantle Hamas, and is emphasizing that one way to secure sufficient time for this is to avoid a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.”
Secretary Blinken was dispatched to Israel on the 12th and met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, then visited Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, and revisited Israel.
Secretary Blinken, who visited Israel again on this day, met Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Israeli War Cabinet, Yitzhak Herzog, and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in turn.
In particular, he is known to have held talks with the war cabinet, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, for several hours at the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) headquarters in Tel Aviv, the Israeli capital, and discussed war plans. During the meeting, Secretary Blinken evacuated to a safe bunker in the building due to the sound of air raid sirens.
The U.S. State Department issued a statement in the name of State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, saying, “We discussed cooperation with local partners and received updates on the situation in the Middle East,” adding, “We emphasize the United States’ firm support for Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas terrorism, and Israel.” “We reaffirmed our determination to provide the government with what it needs to protect its citizens.”
According to Israeli government officials, the Israeli government is reportedly reluctant to allow humanitarian aid to Gaza to bring back some of the women, children, and elderly civilians held hostage by Hamas.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said there is an ongoing conflict with some members of the coalition government and the Israeli people over humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.