US Secretary of Defense Antony Blinken met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. He reiterated the need to avoid and minimize harm to civilians in the Gaza Strip as much as possible. In addition, the two reviewed the joint efforts to free the abductees remaining in Gaza.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog's meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
Blinken, who also participated in the War Cabinet discussion, asked that the IDF act to protect civilian infrastructure and ensure that humanitarian aid throughout Gaza is distributed to those who need it: "Today only about 40% of Gazans receive the aid, many more goods must be brought in." In his remarks at the cabinet meeting, he reiterated the need to ensure a possible and stable peace in order to ensure the establishment of a Palestinian state in the future.
Referring to criticism of UNRWA's performance, he said: "We are familiar with the problems, but for now we have no better alternative." He reiterated that the United States reiterates its support for Israel's right to ensure that the October 7 massacre does not happen again.
Met with @IsraeliPM and reaffirmed our support for Israel's right to prevent another October 7 from occurring.
I also stressed the importance of avoiding civilian harm, protecting civilian infrastructure, and ensuring the distribution of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza. pic.twitter.com/1g7h27Ci8f
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 9, 2024
"Increasing pressure on Iran is essential and may prevent regional escalation on further fronts," Defense Minister Galant told Blinken when he hosted him in his Kirya office. Galant briefed him about the ground operation taking place in all parts of the Gaza Strip to dismantle Hamas' military and governmental infrastructure. Galant also explained that the change in the method of warfare being carried out in the northern Gaza Strip would advance Israel to achieve the goals of the war, and stressed that in the Khan Yunis area the operation would intensify and continue until Hamas leaders reached and abductees were returned.
Blinken with Galant, today, photo: Elad Malka
The ministers discussed security tensions in the Middle East and the actions of the Iranian axis against Israel through proxies. Regarding the northern sector, the defense minister stressed that the ultimate goal is to return the residents to their homes safely while changing the security situation in the border area, and Israel would prefer to achieve this through a political solution. However, the defense establishment is preparing a military alternative to achieve this goal.
In addition, a huge display of mothers of fighters in Gaza was set up in front of the Tel Aviv hotel where Blinken is staying. They came to the demonstration with huge signs with pictures of the children of senior US government and military officials dressed in IDF uniforms on the battlefield, with the slogan: "Let our children fight as your children fight." The mothers of the fighters also called on the US administration not to stop Israel in the fighting, not to stop arming Israel, and not to tie the IDF's hands.
Behind the huge display are the headquarters of the mothers of the fighters, whose children are now fighting in Gaza and on the other fronts, photo: Mothers of the fighters
The Mothers of the Combatants' Headquarters said: "The lives of our soldiers take precedence over the lives of the enemy. We ask and demand the U.S. government - don't stop our fighting. Let our soldiers fight, win and restore security to all residents of the State of Israel. We ask you to love our children as we love your children, and that their lives be as important to you as your children's lives are to us."
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us