Blinken meeting with IOF officials on Gaza calmer than previous ones

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites + Israeli Media
1 Dec 2023 15:46

Blinken's visit to "Israel" marks his fourth trip since October 7 during which he maintained a hectic schedule, engaging with numerous Israeli high-ranking officials on Thursday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference in “Tel Aviv”, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. (AP)

In contrast to the previous two meetings between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and top Israeli officials, which were reportedly characterized by intense exchanges, this latest encounter was more subdued, according to an official, as cited by The Washington Post.

The Israelis seem to have internalized past US directives, particularly on matters like facilitating humanitarian aid into war-torn Gaza, the report added.

This contradicts Israeli claims that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a firm stance on "Israel's" approach to warfare, particularly concerning the establishment of "safe zones" and refraining from targeting hospitals and UN facilities to prevent a recurrence of the substantial loss of civilian life witnessed in northern Gaza.

Washington has displayed unwavering military and diplomatic support for "Israel's" military actions in Gaza since October 7, sparking public criticism for the ongoing killing of more than 15,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

According to a statement from the State Department, Secretary of State Blinken has again reiterated the US support for "Israel's right to "self-defense" against what he dubbed "terrorist violence" while urging "Israel" to take all possible measures to avoid harming civilians.

Blinken also called for immediate action to hold settler extremists accountable for violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and affirmed the "U.S. commitment to tangible steps for the advancement of a Palestinian state living in peace, freedom, and security alongside Israel."

It is worth noting that Blinken's visit to "Israel" marked his fourth trip since October 7, during which he maintained a hectic schedule, engaging with numerous Israeli high-ranking officials on Thursday.

Blinken held discussions with Israeli war cabinet Minister Benny Gantz regarding strategies to enhance "Israel's" security, the release of hostages, and "initiatives to minimize civilian casualties." The conversation also reportedly touched upon the importance of restoring calm along the "Blue Line".

Met with Israeli Minister @gantzbe to discuss measures to ensure Israel’s safety, release of hostages, and measures to minimize harm to civilians. Also spoke about the need to restore calm along the Blue Line. pic.twitter.com/4auVFAykbR
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) December 1, 2023

He also reportedly met with the Israeli security minister Yoav Gallant, reiterating the United States' backing for "Israel's right to self-defense" by international humanitarian law. At the same time, Blinken claimed that he urged "Israel" to implement every feasible measure to prevent harm to civilians.

Israeli Minister @yairlapid and I discussed continuing efforts to protect civilians during Israel’s operations and the need to address rising levels of extremist settler violence in the West Bank against Palestinian civilians – to include holding perpetrators accountable. pic.twitter.com/ztvAZYTxcJ
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 30, 2023

Blinken also reportedly talked about ongoing initiatives to safeguard civilians throughout "Israel's" aggression and emphasized the importance of addressing the escalating incidents of extremist settler violence in the West Bank against Palestinian civilians. This includes the necessity of holding those responsible accountable.

It seems that the US rhetoric surrounding the protection of civilians appears to be more of a media display than an actual implementation on the ground, given the ongoing aggression on Gaza, with only words, and no action on the ground implemented. Despite discussions and assurances, the situation persists with continued loss of Palestinian lives in the Israeli aggression, raising questions about the effectiveness and sincerity of the measures claimed to be taken by the US.

US responsible for renewed Israeli aggression on Gaza

As a matter of fact, the US role in the ongoing genocide, whether by the billions of dollars worth of arms and ammunition or by the deafening silence from the massacres committed every day, can no longer be deemed implicit.

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani held "Israel" and the United States responsible for the recent atrocities committed in Gaza, accusing the "Zionist criminals" of initiating a new phase of violence with the backing of the American government.

The deadly aggression resumed immediately after the conclusion of a seven-day truce between "Israel" and Gaza, which was supported by Iran. Kanaani placed the blame for the ongoing aggression and deaths on "Israel", the US, and other supportive governments, referring to "Israel" as an "apartheid regime".

Likewise, the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas held the Israeli occupation responsible for resuming the aggression on the Gaza Strip after it refused to accept proposals to release Israeli captives.

Immediately after the expiration of the humanitarian truce between the Palestinian Resistance and the Israeli occupation, "Israel" renewed its aggression on Gaza, bombing civilian houses indiscriminately and killing tens of Gazans across the besieged Strip in a couple of hours.

In a statement on Friday, the movement stressed that the Israeli occupation bears responsibility for the resumption of war and the Nazi aggression against the Gaza Strip, after refusing throughout the night to accept all offers to release additional captives.

Likewise, the movement held the US administration and its President Joe Biden fully responsible for the continuation of Zionist war crimes in the Gaza Strip, after its absolute support for it, and after the green light it gave it again following the visit of its Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, to "Israel" on Thursday and his announcement of the Israeli occupation’s intention to resume the aggression.

The statement concluded by affirming that the steadfast Palestinian people and their resistance will thwart the goals of this criminal aggression and will break the will of the defeated US-backed occupation army.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) also said the US administration bears full responsibility for the renewed Zionist aggression against the Gaza Strip this morning, adding that the Biden administration continues to give the Israeli occupation the green light to continue its war of extermination against the Palestinian people.

The PFLP called on the masses to mobilize in squares and besiege the embassies of aggression in the world to pressure them to stop the war on Gaza.