In a press conference in Israel, Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared unwavering U.S. support for Israel as the nation retaliates against militants in the Gaza Strip following an attack on Israeli soil over the weekend.
Solidarity and Support for Israel
As the situation in the region intensifies, Blinken emphasized the United States’ commitment to standing by Israel. He stated that Israel might have the strength to defend itself, but the U.S. will always be there to offer support and assistance.
Blinken’s message echoed the sentiment of Washington’s unconditional support: “We will always be there by your side.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also acknowledged the strong and unwavering support from the United States.
The recent Hamas offensive resulted in the tragic loss of over 1,200 Israeli lives, with the number steadily increasing. Several Americans have lost their lives in the attacks, and some have been taken hostage by the militant group, as President Joe Biden revealed.
U.S. Calls for Proportionate Response
While supporting Israel, the Biden administration has urged leaders in Jerusalem to exercise a “proportionate response” to the attacks. However, the White House has not explicitly outlined the boundaries that should not be crossed.
Earlier, Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz declared that no supplies would be permitted into Gaza until the hostages were released, a move that received criticism. Palestinian envoy to the U.N. Riyad Mansour called Israel’s actions “nothing less than genocidal” and highlighted the humanitarian crisis caused by the blockade of food shipments.
The Gaza Strip, already grappling with dire economic conditions, is home to approximately 2 million Palestinians, with nearly half under the age of 18. Authorities report a significant number of casualties in Gaza, with Israel contending that many of the casualties are Hamas members.
International Criticism
The international community has not been silent on the matter. Senator Bernie Sanders called the targeting of civilians and the denial of essential supplies to Gaza a violation of international law and a harm to innocent civilians.
Amid this situation, Blinken sought to reassure Israel about the evolving defense needs and the support from Congress. He highlighted the substantial bipartisan backing and the military assistance the U.S. has already extended to Israel since the onset of the conflict.
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