ARAB AND WORLD
Sun 05 Nov 2023 9:33 am - Jerusalem Time
Axios: Blinken told Israelis that a humanitarian truce would give them time for ground operation
As Washington seeks to persuade Israel to accept a humanitarian truce in Gaza, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told Israeli officials that the truce may give Israel more time regarding its ground operation, according to what was reported by the Axios website.
The website quoted an American official and three Israeli officials with direct knowledge of the talks that Blinken told his Israeli counterparts, on Friday, that agreeing to a humanitarian truce would help the United States ward off the increasing pressure it faces regarding its support for the Israeli operation in Gaza, and help Israel get more time for its operation. Wild.
The website notes that the administration of US President Joe Biden says it supports Israel's goal of dismantling Hamas' military capabilities, but it is under increasing pressure from some Democrats in Congress and its allies and partners in the Arab countries to press for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Israeli officials told Axios that Blinken told his Israeli counterparts that the Biden administration is under a lot of criticism domestically and internationally, because it gives Israel its full support.
According to what an American official and two Israeli officials told the site, Blinken's message was: “We do not want to stop you, but help us to help you get more time.”
The website reported that Blinken told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the Israeli War Council that he understands that Israel's operation against Hamas will last longer than a few days, but because of the pressure the United States is facing, a humanitarian truce will help Israel buy more time for its ground operation. , as American and Israeli officials said.
The officials said Blinken and his aides believe Israeli leaders have not closed the door on the idea of a temporary ceasefire and that they can persuade them to agree to a truce as they did when Israel agreed to allow aid trucks into Gaza.
Israeli officials say that the issue of a humanitarian truce will continue to be discussed with the United States, but they do not believe that anything will change in the next few days, according to the site.
Axios reveals that Blinken, in his talks with Israeli leaders, stressed that the increasing number of civilian casualties in Gaza and photos like those taken from the Jabalia refugee camp earlier this week do not help the Biden administration ward off the pressure the United States faces at home. And abroad.
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Axios: Blinken told Israelis that a humanitarian truce would give them time for ground operation