Blinken reiterates US opposition to Rafah invasion
Time:2024-05-19 22:30:51 Source:businessViews(143)
A Palestinian woman makes bread at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on May 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the weekend, in which the secretary reiterated Washington's opposition to a major ground operation in Rafah.
According to State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, Blinken "reaffirmed the U.S. opposition to a major military ground operation in Rafah, where over one million people have taken shelter" during the Saturday call with Gallant.
"The Secretary underscored the urgent need to protect civilians and aid workers in Gaza and urged the Minister to ensure assistance can move into Gaza and help address distribution challenges inside of Gaza as Israel pursues Hamas targets," Miller said of the call in a statement.
Citing the Israeli Defense Ministry, CNN reported Monday that Gallant discussed with Blinken "developments in Gaza, including (Israel Defense Forces) operations across the Strip in the face of terror hotspots."
Gallant also spoke about what the ministry called "the precise operation in the Rafah area against remaining Hamas battalions, while securing the crossing," the report said.
The call came as U.S. President Joe Biden's administration began to limit the flow of U.S. weaponry to Israel in anticipation of a large-scale ground operation by Israeli forces in Rafah.
Earlier this month, Biden signed off on a pause of 3,500 bombs intended for Israel in the near term, for fear that they will be dropped in Rafah. Biden said should Israel go into Rafah and conduct operation targeting the population centers, his administration will not supply weapons for that cause.
In a high stakes State Department report that was published behind schedule on Friday, the Biden administration said that it is "reasonable to assess" that U.S. weapons supplied to Israel may have been used in violation of international law. The report added a caveat that information that Washington possessed was incomplete, not enough for reaching a definitive conclusion.
Previous:Chinese books attract global attention at Italy's biggest book fair
Next:Elon Musk arrives in Indonesia's Bali to launch Starlink satellite internet service
You may also like
- Shane Lowry ties a major championship record by shooting a 9
- New Orleans' own PJ Morton returns home to Jazz Fest with new music
- King Charles and Queen Camilla step up their involvement in horse racing
- Channing Tatum brands ex
- Faculty of New York private university join students in pro
- Ronaldo scores his 4th hat trick of Saudi Pro League season
- Alison Hammond explains why she charges son Aidan, 19, rent despite being a multi
- Texas police officer dies after being injured when a tornado struck his home
- Sharon Stone, 66, wants her 'acting career back' more than 20 years after suffering stroke