Blinken: Israel Making Strides to Enhance Civilian Security in Southern Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledges Israel's efforts to enhance civilian protection in southern Gaza during its offensive, emphasizing the significance of these measures A personal connection adds depth to his statement
Tune in to "King Charles" at 9 p.m. ET to see Antony Blinken's complete interview. Blinken commended Israel for taking significant measures to safeguard civilians in their offensive in southern Gaza during his appearance on CNN's "King Charles" on Wednesday.
During a broad and exclusive interview with Charles Barkley and Gayle King, the top US diplomat implied that Israeli forces are responding to his request to approach this phase of the conflict with Hamas differently than they did in northern Gaza. "I made it clear to them when I was there just a week ago that we cannot allow the same level of harm to civilians in the south as we saw in the north," Blinken stated.
Israel has clearly marked safe areas where there will be no firing or military presence. Efforts have been made to ensure that people are aware of the need to move, but only in specific neighborhoods, not the entire city. Blinken described this as a positive development. However, he also acknowledged that more needs to be done, especially in light of the devastating civilian casualties in the war-torn Gaza strip, which he described as "gut-wrenching."
He advocated for creating "safe corridors" for civilians to relocate from risky areas to secure locations, emphasizing the importance of providing adequate food, water, and medicine in these places.
Blinken stated that the Biden administration is in daily communication with the Israeli government and is actively working to secure the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas through frequent negotiations.
"It's not just about numbers. These are actual individuals, families, and lives that have been greatly affected. I have photographs of each and every one of them," Blinken disclosed.
"This is a reality for me, for the president, and we are actively addressing it. Sadly, Hamas is obstructing progress. They have ceased releasing hostages and gone back on their promises to Israel and others," he stated. "In short, they have decided to halt the release of hostages. They need to make the choice to resume the process."
Personal resonance
Blinken, who is Jewish and the stepson of a Holocaust survivor, described his own horror at the brutal images and videos of the Hamas atrocities.
The events of October 7 had a personal impact on me and resonated deeply within the history of the Jewish people, particularly due to the savage nature of the attacks that took place," he told Charles and King. Blinken also expressed deep concern over the increase in antisemitism on college campuses.
"This is not entirely new, but it has emerged more prominently since October 7," he said.
"I am also deeply troubled by the hate and hostility directed towards Muslim Americans, Arab Americans," Blinken added. "This is happening in various ways, and we need to ensure that everyone on our campuses can feel secure in expressing their true selves and beliefs."
When asked for advice on how people with different views can respectfully discuss the war, the top US diplomat emphasized the importance of stopping the dehumanization of others. "We need to recognize each other's humanity, put ourselves in other people's shoes, and approach conversations with an open mind and heart. With this approach, we can discuss even the most difficult topics."
The top US diplomat acknowledged that American engagement on issues such as Ukraine and China may feel disconnected from the American people, but emphasized that these issues do have an impact on the US population.
"When the United States is not engaged or leading, one of two things usually occurs," he explained, indicating that either another nation steps in to fill the void, or a leadership vacuum is created.
"Inevitably," he remarked, "the consequences will catch up to us, leading to greater efforts, costs, and potential hardships if we overlook these matters."
As for the recent viral moment in which he seemed to flinch as President Joe Biden once again referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a "dictator," Blinken attributed it to an exhausting day.
"We've had a long and intense conversation with China today, and I have to admit that my neck is feeling a bit stiff. It's no secret that our system is very different from China's. Our president always speaks clearly and directly, representing everyone."
