Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that he agrees with a preliminary State Department report that suggests Israel may have violated international humanitarian law in Gaza. Blinken expressed concern about civilian suffering and casualties, particularly among children, women, and men caught in the crossfire of conflict. He emphasized that the assessments are ongoing and that definitive conclusions have not been reached. Israel has internal processes to investigate alleged violations.
The Biden administration’s controversial decision to halt a shipment of 3,500 bombs to Israel amid its conflict with Hamas was defended by Blinken. The State Department released a report detailing its humanitarian assessment but did not provide finalized conclusions or recommendations. Blinken mentioned that Israel has the ability to self-correct its actions and has the means to do so. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged high civilian casualties during the conflict with Hamas.
President Biden confirmed that the US halted the shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel over concerns about plans to invade the civilian-packed southern Gazan city of Rafah, which is considered a Hamas stronghold. The move led to criticism from both Republicans and Democrats. Blinken praised Biden’s support for Israel, citing his actions during times of conflict and highlighting US participation in Israel’s active defense against attacks from Iran. The Secretary of State clarified that the halt in weapon shipments to Israel is limited to high payload bombs.
Netanyahu has expressed intentions to enter Rafah, which is densely populated with Palestinian refugees who have fled fighting in other areas. The Biden administration has requested a credible plan from Israel to safeguard civilians in Rafah before any major operation is carried out. The objective is to prevent Hamas from gaining control in Gaza and to ensure the region is demilitarized. Estimates suggest a significant number of Gazans seeking refuge in Rafah, prompting Israel to evacuate some individuals in advance of potential conflict.
Blinken addressed the situation in Ukraine, stating that the delay in providing roughly $61 billion in US aid to Kyiv has resulted in setbacks on the battlefield against Russian invaders. He acknowledged the need to expedite assistance and equipment to Ukraine to support its efforts in defending against Russian aggression. The priority is to ensure Ukraine’s ability to resist foreign incursions and protect its sovereignty. The US government is working to accelerate the delivery of aid to Ukraine to address urgent needs on the ground.
