US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has strongly condemned Israel's tactics in the Gaza conflict, stating that the US wants Israeli forces to withdraw from the area and that Israel's approach has failed to neutralize Hamas and could create a power vacuum.
In a rare public rebuke of Israel, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed deep concern over the rising civilian casualties in Gaza and the potential for a power vacuum in the aftermath of the conflict.
Appearing on CBS's "Face the Nation" and NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Blinken reiterated the Biden administration's stance that Israel needs to withdraw from Gaza. He condemned Israel's tactics in the conflict, describing them as potentially counterproductive and unsustainable.
Blinken cited the findings of a Biden administration report to Congress that concluded that Israel's use of US-provided weapons in Gaza may have violated international humanitarian law. He expressed alarm over the "horrible loss of life of innocent civilians" and questioned the effectiveness of Israel's approach in neutralizing Hamas.
"We believe that Hamas must be held accountable for its actions," Blinken said. "But we also believe that Israel has an obligation to do everything possible to protect innocent civilians."
Blinken echoed concerns raised by the Biden administration that Israel's offensive in Rafah, one of Hamas's last strongholds, could lead to a vacuum that would allow the group to regroup and potentially regain power. He emphasized the need for a "clear, credible plan" to ensure security and governance in Gaza after the conflict.
The Secretary of State praised President Biden's support for Israel, noting that Biden had provided unprecedented aid and assistance amid the conflict. However, he emphasized that the US would not hesitate to raise concerns about civilian casualties and the need for a diplomatic solution.
Blinken's comments come as the US continues to withhold high payload bombs from Israel, a decision that has reportedly angered Israeli officials. The US has cited the potential for civilian casualties and the need for a plan for the aftermath of the conflict as reasons for withholding the weapons.
The war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7th after Hamas launched a rocket attack against Israel. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians and dozens of Israelis. More than a million Palestinians are estimated to have been displaced by the offensive.
The US remains opposed to Israel's offensive in Rafah, given the toll on civilians. Blinken has spoken to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to reiterate the US position and urge Israel to develop a plan for the aftermath of the conflict.
The US continues to work with Arab countries and others to develop "credible plans for security, for governance, for rebuilding'' in Gaza. However, Blinken has emphasized that such plans have yet to be seen from Israel.
The war in Gaza is a complex and challenging issue, and the Biden administration is walking a fine line between supporting Israel's security interests and minimizing civilian casualties. Blinken's recent comments reflect this balancing act and underscore the US commitment to a diplomatic solution that addresses the root causes of the conflict.
