Israel-Gaza conflict: Blinken claims that a ceasefire would enable Hamas to reorganize

 Israel-Gaza conflict: Blinken claims that a ceasefire would enable Hamas to reorganize

According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, an Israeli truce in Gaza would give Hamas time to reorganize and launch further strikes.

That being said, he said, Israel must take "every possible measure" to keep civilians out of the area.

The remarks were made by Mr. Blinken on Saturday in Jordan after discussions with Arab leaders who want an immediate end to hostilities.

Israel has been charged with war crimes by them.

Following the discussions, which also included representatives from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said, "We don't accept that it is a self-defence," at a press conference beside Mr. Blinken.

The US is still in favor of Israel's right to self-defense against Hamas.

"Raging war that is assassinating civilians, destroying their homes, hospitals, schools, mosques, and churches," was how Mr. Safadi put the fighting.

"It cannot be justified without any pretext and it will not bring Israel assurances, it will not bring the region peace."

There have been worries that the conflict would entice other regional players and cause the Middle East to become unstable.

The US differed with Arab leaders on some of the ways to bring about a sustainable peace in the area, but they shared the same objective, according to Mr. Blinken, who has been advocating for humanitarian breaks in the combat rather than a ceasefire.

"We all acknowledge that we not only have an interest, but additionally an obligation to do everything we can to create a better path forward together," he said.

After Hamas murdered over 1,400 Israelis in surprise strikes on October 7, Israel started attacking Gaza. The bulk of the more than 200 persons who were abducted are still believed to be being kept as hostages.

The health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, reports that at least 9,488 people have died in Gaza.

The day before, Mr. Blinken traveled to Israel to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said that there would not be a humanitarian break until all Israeli detainees were freed.

on response to repeated calls for residents to evacuate, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have concentrated their offensive efforts on the northern region of Gaza.

Up to 400,000 people remain in the region, according to David Satterfield, the US special envoy for humanitarian affairs in the Middle East.

The UN has issued a warning that no area of Gaza is secure, and the IDF has already begun conducting attacks in the south.

Speaking on Saturday, Mr. Blinken stressed the need of significantly boosting the volume of supplies entering the enclave via Egypt's Rafah gate.

Weeks after Israel declared a blockade, shutting off supplies of food, water, and electricity, only a restricted number of commodities are now entering Gaza.

In order to address the bloodshed along Lebanon's southern border with Israel, where there has been regular fighting between members of the Shia Islamist organization Hezbollah as well as the Israeli military, the US Secretary of State additionally had a conversation with Najib Mikati, the country's acting prime minister.

Though he hasn't explicitly called for an increase in assaults against Israel, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah put the door open for further action.

On Sunday, Mr. Blinken will go for Turkey, where he will meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the situation.

In protest at the carnage, Ankara withdrew its ambassador to Israel and severed ties with Mr. Netanyahu before to the visit.