Blinken stresses US leadership in Israel-Hamas war
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed US leadership and “American engagement” during a press gaggle in Turkey, following a diplomatic trip with key regional leaders in the Middle East.
In recent days, the secretary of state has visited leader in Iraq, Israel, Jordan and the West Bank to discuss Israel's war on Hamas -- amid fears of a wider regional conflict.
Blinken said the United States knows "the terrible toll" the war is taking "on Palestinians ... on men, women and children in civilians," adding, it is "a concern that we share, and that we're working on every single day.”
When asked by CNN's Jennifer Hansler about an apparent lack of concrete progress on minimizing civilian casualties and increasing humanitarian aid into Gaza, he said: “We have very concrete ways of doing that. And I think you'll see in the days ahead, that that assistance can expand in significant ways."
“Countries are looking for us (US) to do things. And we don’t obviously agree on everything. But there are common views on some of the imperatives at the moment.”
Blinken was pressed by CNN about actual steps discussed with the Israeli leadership last week about humanitarian aid reaching Gaza and Israel’s approach in the conflict. He said Washington is working on the issues almost every minute.
“When it comes to humanitarian pauses, we are engaged with the Israelis on the particular practicalities of that. One critical aspect though is seeing progress on hostages. That is something we are intensely focused on.”
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