Blinken to press Israel to consent to ceasefires

According to the White House, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is anticipated to press the Israeli government to consent to ceasefires in the Gaza Strip.

The United States is in favour of a brief, targeted halt rather than a worldwide cease-fire. When Blinken visits Israel, he will talk about practical ways to reduce damage to Gaza’s civilian population.

Over 32,000 people have been injured and at least 9,061 Palestinians have died since Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7. Additionally, 1,400 Israelis have died. In decades of violence between Israel and the Palestinians, the death toll is unprecedented. Over 3,700 Palestinian children have been killed in 25 days of fighting, more than six times the 560 children killed in 19 months of war in Ukraine as of 8 October.

The 2.3 million people living in the territory have been forced from their homes by bombardment, and as a result of Israel’s siege, supplies of food, water, and fuel are running low. Blinken’s meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu will include specific measures to reduce damage to Gaza’s civilian population. This is his second encounter with the prime minister of Israel since the start of the conflict almost a month ago.