Blinken defends "Israel's campaign against Hamas" but urges "doing more" to protect Palestinians

He highlights that the US has identified "mechanisms to allow fuel to reach hospitals" in the south of the Strip.

He asks that "this tragedy" lead to "a better tomorrow for both peoples and for the region"

MADRID, 3 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has supported this Friday "Israel's campaign against Hamas" given that it has the "right and obligation" to defend itself against attacks such as those perpetrated on October 7 by the Palestinian armed group, but has urged to "do more" to protect Palestinian civilians.

Blinken, who is on tour in several countries in the Middle East, has stressed from the city of Tel Aviv that some of these States, "partners of the United States" in the region, have a "fundamental role to play" to prevent the conflict expands.

This was his statement during a press conference after his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which is part of his third visit to Israel since the Hamas offensive. "We have made it clear that Israel's campaign against Hamas is important (...) because not doing so favors Hamas and other terrorist groups," he said, but not before stating that, however, "there will be no partners for peace if are consumed by a humanitarian catastrophe".

Blinken has said he has seen images of "Palestinian children being pulled from the rubble of buildings" and has asserted that "it is like seeing your own children," while accusing Hamas of using them as "human shields." "President (Joe) Biden has constantly stressed the need for Israel to operate in accordance with International Law," he continued before also referring to the increase in violence in the West Bank, where "extremist incitement and violence against terrorists must stop." Palestinians and perpetrators must be held accountable.

"We need to substantially and immediately increase the sustained flow of humanitarian assistance, enter Gaza and remove American citizens and other foreign citizens" who are trapped in the area, he stated before pointing out that so far more than a hundred trucks With help they have crossed the border from Egypt through the Rafah Pass.

"I have spoken with Israeli leaders about measures that can be taken to increase the sustained delivery of food, water, medicine, fuel and other essential needs, while also implementing measures to prevent the diversion of this aid to Hamas and others. terrorist groups. We have identified mechanisms to allow fuel to reach hospitals in the south," he stated before stating that Israel has raised "legitimate concerns about the possibility of fuel ending up in the wrong hands."

Blinken has once again emphasized the importance of achieving a two-state solution to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, considering that this will be the "only guarantee for a Jewish, democratic and secure Israel", in addition to the "guarantor for Palestinians to exercise their right to live in their own State".

"This will allow us to enjoy measures of security, freedom, equal opportunities and dignity. It is the only way to end a cycle of violence once and for all, and it is precisely now, in the darkest moments, when we have the most to do." fight; not after the war, but today," he maintained.

In this way, he has advocated for "forging a different future, a very different future for Israelis and Palestinians alike" and has urged that "a better tomorrow emerges from this tragedy for both peoples and for the region."

"There are a number of important measures that we can and must take now to help make that possible. Firstly, we must continue to prevent the escalation of this conflict and its spread to other areas. (...) We will also continue to respond to the "attacks against our personnel in Syria and Iraq, who are deployed to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State," he added.

In addition, he has once again emphasized US support for Israel, which includes "additional assistance (...) to cover the defense of the country" after the "brutality of the slaughter of innocents by Hamas." "That day Americans and more than 200 foreigners from 35 countries were also murdered," she stressed before clarifying that Washington's efforts are focused on guaranteeing the safe release of the hostages "kidnapped by Hamas during the attacks.

Previously, Blinken also held a meeting with the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, to whom he conveyed the "firm support" of the US authorities. "Israel has the right to ensure that what happened on October 7 does not happen again," he said during their meeting.

"How Israel defends itself matters, and it is very important that when it comes to the protection of civilians who have been hit by the crossfire between the parties, they are protected and receive the assistance they desperately need," he said before declaring that these civilians "were in no way responsible for what happened on October 7."

Herzog, for his part, thanked Blinken and expressed that he "thinks about the hostages at every moment", for whom he asks for immediate release. The president has defended that Israel "respects International Law" and has explained that the Government has sent "six million text messages to the citizens of Gaza to warn them of the attacks in advance, including in the Jabalia camp", where Israel He claims to have killed fifty "terrorists", while the authorities of the Strip speak of hundreds of dead and wounded.