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Curated By: Saurabh Verma
Last Updated: October 12, 2023, 20:06 IST
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu make statements to the media inside The Kirya, which houses the Israeli Ministry of Defense, after their meeting in Tel Aviv, Thursday Oct. 12, 2023. (Photo: AP)
Blinken said the number of innocent lives claimed by Hamas’ heinous attacks continues to rise. He informed that at least 25 American citizens were killed in the Hamas attacks
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday landed in Israel amid its war with Hamas and said the United States will “always” back Tel Aviv. However, he asserted that the Palestinians also have “legitimate aspirations” not represented by militant group Hamas.
Launching an unexpected attack on Saturday, Hamas fighters caused the death of 1,200 individuals in Israel, with civilians being the primary victims, and they took approximately 150 hostages. In response, Israel has conducted continuous airstrikes and artillery bombardments on Hamas targets in Gaza for the past six days, resulting in more than 1,350 casualties in that region.
Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken said, “You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself. But as long as America exists, you will never, ever have to. We will always be there by your side.”
Blinken said anyone who wants peace and justice must condemn Hamas’ reign of terror. “We know Hamas doesn’t represent the Palestinian people, or their legitimate aspirations to live with equal measures of security, freedom, justice, opportunity and dignity,” he said.
#WATCH | Tel Aviv, Israel | Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu shakes hands with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as he thanks him and the United States for standing with Israel.(Video Source: Reuters) pic.twitter.com/GSwOX8mEWS
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2023
Blinken said the number of innocent lives claimed by Hamas’ heinous attacks continues to rise. He informed that at least 25 American citizens were killed in the Hamas attacks.
Blinken, speaking in personal terms, said, “I come before you not only as the United States secretary of state but also as a Jew” and “a husband and father of young children”. “It’s impossible for me to look at the photos of families killed, such as the mother, father and three small children murdered as they sheltered in their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, and not think of my own children,” he said.
An aircraft carrier battle group has been dispatched by the United States to the eastern Mediterranean as a demonstration of support, with a clear warning to other nations not to become involved in the conflict alongside Israel’s adversaries.
Israel’s longstanding adversary, Iran, has provided financial and military support to Hamas for a considerable period and commended its offensive, although it maintains that it played no direct role in the attack.
During a phone conversation with his Syrian counterpart, Bashar al-Assad, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi asserted that it is imperative for all Islamic and Arab nations to stand against Israel and offer their support to the “oppressed Palestinian population.”
Difficult Days Ahead: Netanyahu
Netanyahu said undoubtedly “forces of civilisation” would win and added that there would be many difficult days ahead.
“Antony, my friend. I say to you, I say to all of us. There will be many difficult days ahead. But I have no doubt that the forces of civilisation will win. The reason that is true is because we understand what is the first prerequisite of victory – moral clarity. This is a time that we must stand tall, proud and united against evil…,” he said.
Netanyahu voiced appreciation for US support, which includes military aid, and said that Hamas, which rules the blockaded Gaza Strip, should be treated like the Islamic State group.
“Just as ISIS was crushed, so too will Hamas be crushed. And Hamas should be treated exactly the way ISIS was treated,” Netanyahu said.
(With AFP inputs)
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