Leaked minutes show that the US Secretary of State has told the Israeli war cabinet that the army will have to show more restraint if fighting resumes in Gaza. “You cannot operate in southern Gaza as you have in the north,” Blinken said, according to Israeli news channel Keshet 12, which has the minutes.
Blinken is said to have pointed out that there are currently two million Palestinians in southern Gaza, as almost all residents of the north have fled there. “You need to evacuate more people from their homes, attack more precisely, don’t hit UN buildings and ensure there are enough protected areas,” Blinken said of the next phase of the war. ‘And if that doesn’t work? Then don’t attack places where civilians are.’
AP – Leaked minutes show that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has asked the Israeli war cabinet for restraint in Gaza.
Blinken also urged the Israelis to speed up their war goal of destroying Hamas in Gaza. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israeli society is behind that goal, “even if it takes months.” “I don’t think you have the credit for that,” Blinken responded.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke out against the idea of the Palestinian Authority taking control of Gaza after the war. The US and EU, among others, have proposed this, but Netanyahu said that the Palestinian Authority ‘supports, trains and finances terror’. Blinken expressed his understanding of Netanyahu’s position, saying, “The best way to kill an idea is to come up with a better idea.” The other countries in the region need to know what you are planning to do.’
2023-11-30 21:23:14
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