US Secy Blinken highlights civilian suffering, security concerns amid Israel-Hamas war
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war has brought to light the harrowing realities faced by civilians in the region, as well as the security concerns that continue to escalate.
«I've seen a baby, an infant riddled with bullets.
Soldiers beheaded. Young people burned alive in their cars or in their highway rooms.
It almost defies comprehension,» Secretary Blinken expressed anguish at the barbarity of the Hamas attack on October 7 in southern Israel.
«So, we did see, photographs and videos that, the Israeli government shared with us… It's hard to find the right words. It's beyond what anyone would ever wanna imagine much less actually see and god forbid experience,» said Blinken on horrific photographs of the Hamas attack.
He also shed light on the challenges posed by Hamas' use of civilians as human shields, which has been a recurring and deeply troubling tactic.
Blinken emphasised that civilians are not the target of Israel's operations in Gaza.
«On the Mediterranean situation in Gaza, I think it's first important to remember a fundamental issue that makes this complicated. Hamas continues to use civilians as human shields.
Something that's not new, something that they've always done intentionally putting, civilians in harm's way to protect them to try to protect themselves or protect their structure or protect their weapons… Civilians should not be used in any way as the targets of military operations. They are not the target of Israel's operations,» added the US Secretary.
Furthermore, Secretary Blinken discussed efforts to address the humanitarian needs of the people living in Gaza while safeguarding them from harm during Israel's legitimate security operations
