Outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the media at the State Department, defending the Biden administration's stance on the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Blinken expressed optimism about the historic possibilities the deal presented for the region and emphasized the need for political courage and compromise to ensure lasting peace.
During the news conference, Blinken faced interruptions from protesters accusing him of complicity in Israeli violence against Palestinian civilians. Despite the disruptions, Blinken urged respect for the diplomatic process and highlighted the U.S.'s efforts to address differences with Israel privately to avoid empowering Hamas.
The Biden administration has been criticized for not imposing stricter restrictions on weapons supply to Israel and for not exerting more pressure to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The conflict, triggered by Hamas' cross-border attacks, has resulted in significant casualties and displacement in Gaza, with a large portion of the population facing dire living conditions.
Blinken acknowledged the civilian suffering in Gaza but cited the complexities of the situation, including Hamas' use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes, as a challenge in determining violations of international law in real-time.
Despite facing criticism, Blinken made multiple trips to the Middle East in an effort to broker a ceasefire. The recent agreement, facilitated by the White House's involvement in negotiations, has been attributed to both President Biden and former President Trump.
