US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has emphasized the need for “humanitarian pauses” in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine during his visit to the region. Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and expressed US support for Israel’s right to self-defense while urging steps to protect civilians and allow greater aid into Gaza.
The visit comes as Israeli forces continue to intensify ground operations in the Gaza Strip, encircling Gaza City. Israel has vowed to dismantle the Palestinian armed group Hamas following a deadly attack on October 7, which claimed the lives of over 1,400 people. The attack, characterized by the mass killing of civilians, including women and children, has sparked widespread condemnation from global leaders and international organizations.
However, criticism has mounted as Israel has imposed restrictions on access to food, fuel, and electricity, exacerbating the dire conditions faced by Gaza’s more than 2.3 million residents. Entire neighborhoods have been leveled by relentless air raids, leading to a fragile health system overwhelmed by the constant bombardment. Palestinian authorities report that over 9,227 people, mostly women and children, have been killed as a result of the attacks and the strain on fuel supplies.
The situation has prompted warnings from aid agencies and international groups about an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe. Palestinians in the besieged enclave have limited options for seeking refuge, with Israel instructing the population to move south in an attempt to mitigate the impact of the attacks. However, no corner of the strip has been spared.
Tom White, director of the UN agency on Palestinian refugees, expressed his concern over the lack of vital humanitarian supplies reaching the people, stating that most Palestinians in Gaza are surviving on minimal food. UN aid chief Martin Griffiths highlighted the importance of humanitarian pauses in order to meet the needs of both Gazans and Israelis caught in the conflict.
While the United States has pledged full support for Israel and rejected calls for a ceasefire, Secretary Blinken and President Joe Biden have also stressed the need to protect Palestinian civilians and allow aid into Gaza. However, Israel has thus far rejected calls for temporary truces, insisting on the release of over 240 captives, including Israeli soldiers and civilians, as a precondition.
Blinken also urged Israel to take concrete steps to address increasing attacks on Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. Since the start of the conflict, 132 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers in the region.
As the death toll continues to rise, the international community is closely watching the developments in Gaza, with hopes for a resolution that prioritizes the protection of civilians and the provision of much-needed humanitarian assistance.
