US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on Israel to capitalize on its military achievements in Gaza and transform them into lasting strategic success. Blinken emphasized the need for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to provide humanitarian aid to the people in the region.
During a press briefing in Tel Aviv before his departure to Saudi Arabia, Blinken stated that Israel had largely achieved its strategic goals in Gaza by significantly degrading Hamas' military capabilities. He expressed optimism that this could pave the way for a sustainable resolution to the conflict.
Blinken outlined two remaining objectives: the safe return of hostages and the conclusion of the conflict with a clear vision for the future. He noted that the recent death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar presented an opportunity for progress in securing the release of Israeli hostages, as Sinwar had been a major obstacle to potential negotiations.
Addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, Blinken acknowledged some improvements but stressed that more action was necessary. The US had previously sent a letter to the Israeli government urging them to enhance humanitarian conditions in Gaza or face potential repercussions on military aid.
Furthermore, Blinken underscored the importance of de-escalating tensions in the region to prevent broader conflicts. He called on Israel to manage its relationship with Hezbollah in Lebanon cautiously and advised against escalating responses to Iran's recent missile attack on Israel in early October.
