:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/MCCBA6E7ENF7LECRKVVFFBWADU.jpg "Benjamin Netanyahu met with Antony Blinken and reiterated the need for a military operation in Rafah: “We have no other way to defeat Hamas”")
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Friday, where Netanyahu reiterated his intention to expand the military offensive to Rafah, the southern tip of the Gaza Strip, as “the only way to defeat Hamas.”
During the meeting, Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for the support of the United States in the ongoing war against Hamas, but stressed the need for a military operation in Rafah to eliminate the remaining battalions of the militant group. He also mentioned the importance of evacuating civilians from the war zones and addressing humanitarian needs.
Blinken, who arrived in Tel Aviv on his sixth tour of the Middle East since the conflict in Gaza began, is promoting a truce agreement and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, as well as facilitating the entry of more humanitarian aid to the enclave where half the population is at risk of famine.
More than 1.4 million displaced people currently live in Rafah, with Israel claiming to have a plan to evacuate the civilian population. Netanyahu emphasized that if necessary, Israel is prepared to carry out the military operation alone, but hopes to have the support of the United States.
Following his meeting with Netanyahu, Blinken also met with the War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz and plans to meet with the entire War Cabinet and representatives of the families of the kidnapped.
The United States presented a resolution to the UN Security Council on Friday calling for “an immediate ceasefire” in the Strip. However, the resolution was blocked by China and Russia due to what they deemed as “ambiguous vocabulary.” The resolution received 11 votes in favor, 3 against, and one abstention, but failed to pass due to the veto from Moscow and Beijing.
The situation in Gaza remains tense as diplomatic efforts continue to seek a resolution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Both Israel and Hamas must navigate complex political waters as they seek to find a path towards peace and stability in the region.