NSC Coordinator Kirby: “At this point, we are helping Hamas.”
“It is possible to temporarily suspend operations to protect civilians.”
“The Israeli military decides to launch a ground war in the Gaza Strip.”
John Kirby, the strategic communications coordinator for the White House National Security Council (NSC), said that the request for a ceasefire following the clashes between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas was not appropriate at this time.
At a briefing on the 24th (local time), Coordinator Kirby dismissed the demand for a ceasefire, saying, “At this time, we believe that a ceasefire is helpful to Hamas.” This is an additional explanation following US Secretary of State Tony Blinken’s earlier statement that a ‘humanitarian pause’ should be considered to protect civilians.
“As I have said from the beginning, we want every measure of protection for civilians,” he said. “The suspension of operations is a tool and tactic that temporarily makes this possible,” he said, adding, “But that does not mean a ceasefire.”
“It is impossible to speculate on the possibility of the release of hostages and the disarmament of Hamas in the future.” “This is a potential step that has not yet occurred and may not occur in the future.”
“What I can tell you is that we will continue to work to ensure that Israel has the tools and capabilities it needs to defend itself,” he said. “We will continue to work to ensure that humanitarian assistance is available.”
“We will continue to make efforts to evacuate hostages and people from Gaza in an appropriate manner,” he said, adding, “A ceasefire right now only benefits Hamas.”
Regarding the possibility of a ground war in the Gaza Strip, he said, “It is a matter for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to decide,” and added, “I do not believe that a ceasefire will be achieved right now.”
U.S. White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre announced that Wang Yi, a member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Political Bureau and Foreign Minister, is scheduled to meet with Secretary Blinken and White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Washington, D.C., the U.S. capital, on the 27th.
With the possibility of holding a US-China summit next month being discussed, Director Wang will visit the US from the 26th to the 28th.
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.