Gaza ceasefire key to calming northern front, says Blinken
4 Min Read
The US secretary of state emphasizes the importance of securing a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets the media after signing the joint statement of Finland and the United States on cooperation in advanced wireless communications (6G) at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Helsinki, Finland, Friday, June 2, 2023. (AP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed on Tuesday the strong strategic relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv.
"Everything else is moving as it normally would move, and again with the perspective of making sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against this multiplicity of challenges," Blinken said of the US unwavering support to the occupation.
On the issue of the US 2,000 pound bombs shipment for "Israel", he maintained that it is still under review over concerns about their use in crowded areas of Gaza.
However, he maintained that other weapons shipments are moving as usual.
The United States is "continuing to review one shipment... with regard to 2,000 pound bombs because of our concerns about their use in a densely populated area like Rafah," Blinken said in a joint press conference with visiting NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Washington, D.C.
But "everything else is moving as it normally would move," he said while declining to discuss the specifics of diplomatic talks with Netanyahu.
Blinken's remarks came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in Tel Aviv that the top US diplomat had assured him the US government was working "day and night" to address the delay in the arrival of the weapons.
Regarding the situation on the Northern front, Blinken stated that he doesn't think "Israel" or Hezbollah are inclined to escalate the scope of the war.
The US Secretary of State further claimed that his country seeks to limit actions that could lead to a full-blown war and emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution and the return of parties to their previous positions.
On the ceasefire deal proposed by US President Joe Biden, Blinken clarified that reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza would enhance prospects for a diplomatic solution on the Lebanese front, which is the quickest solution.
Of course blaming Hamas for the status quo regarding the deal, Blinken said, "So we're working to see if we can bridge the gaps that Hamas is now created by not saying yes to the proposal that everyone else had agreed to that was endorsed by the United Nations Security Council, countries around the world, and we have the negotiators, the mediators, Egypt, Qatar and particularly working on this to see if we can bridge the gap."
US aims to bolster NATO, claims Blinken
In a different context, Blinken pointed to efforts to bolster NATO in the meantime and strengthen the alliance's defense capabilities.
He further clarified that the priority on the alliance's agenda was to support Ukraine, explaining that for this reason, they are working closely with congressional leaders to ensure the timely delivery of the required assistance.
Blinken anticipated that around 20 NATO countries would join the Common Security Agreement with Ukraine, solidified by the United States days ago, bolstering its capabilities "to repel the Russian attack."
Elsewhere in his remarks, he accused China of providing crucial support for Russia's military effort to the tune of about 80%.
On his part, the NATO Secretary-General reassured President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Blinken on Monday that NATO countries have increased their defense spending by more than 2% of GDP, as previously promised.
Beijing positions itself as a neutral actor in the Ukraine war, asserting that it does not supply lethal aid to either side, unlike the United States and Western countries which have provided significant military support to assist Kiev.
Read more: China 'fueling war in Europe' by backing Russia, NATO chief claims
