18 minutes agoUS diplomatic efforts to prevent the spread of crisis in the Middle East
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)The United States continues diplomatic efforts in response to the crisis that erupted following Hamas' attack. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States is making intensive efforts to ensure the release of hostages Hamas has taken. As American Voice correspondent Cindy Saine reports, Secretary Blinken is conducting talks [...]
The United States continues diplomatic efforts in response to the crisis that erupted following Hamas' attack. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States is making intensive efforts to ensure the release of hostages Hamas has taken. As American Voice correspondent Cindy Saines reports, Secretary Blinken is conducting talks in the region aimed at preventing the expansion of conflict with other countries.
President Joe Biden called the humanitarian crisis in Gaza a priority while giving a speech on the economy in Philadelphia.
We cannot forget the fact that the overwhelming majority of Palestinians had nothing to do with Hamas' terrible attacks, and as a result they are suffering”, President Biden said.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that conditions in Gaza have deteriorated greatly.
“Moving more than 1 million people through a densely populated war zone into a country without food, water or shelter, when the entire territory is under siege, is extremely dangerous and, in some cases, simply impossible”, the UN chief Guterres said.
On Friday in Israel, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin demonstrated American solidarity with Israel following last week's brutal attacks by Hamas militants that pushed Israel to declare war on the organisation Washington describes as terrorist. About 3,100 people have died in Israel and Gaza.
“Terrorists like Hamas deliberately target civilians, but democracies do not. This time requires determination, not revenge and panic. Now is the time for security and not to surrender”, Secretary Austin said.
Following his visit to Israel on Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Jordan King Abdullah and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman on Friday, before going to Qatar. He was asked if he was concerned that Israel was taking revenge on Hamas to the present emotional extent, something he could later regret.
What Israel is doing is not revenge. Israel is defending the lives of its people and is taking steps to ensure that this will not happen again”, said Secretary Blinken.
Mr. Blinken said the US is working with international organisations and partners in the region to create what he called the <x0) safe zones” for Palestinian civilians. / VOA/
