The US Secretary of State told Israel’s war cabinet that the military would have to show more restraint if fighting resumed in Gaza, leaked minutes showed. “You cannot operate in southern Gaza as you do in the north,” Blinken said, according to the Israeli news channel. Keshet 12who has the record.
Blinken is said to have noted that there are currently two million Palestinians in southern Gaza, with almost the entire population of the north having fled there. “You have to evacuate more people from their homes, attack more precisely, not hit UN buildings and make sure there are enough protected areas,” Blinken said of the next phase of the war. ‘And if that doesn’t work?’ Then do not attack places where civilians are present.
Blinken also urged the Israelis to accelerate their war goal of destroying Hamas in Gaza. Defense Minister Yoav Galant said that Israeli society stands behind this goal, “even if it takes months.” “I don’t think you take credit for that,” Blinken responded.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke against the idea of the Palestinian Authority controlling Gaza after the war. The United States and the European Union, among others, have suggested this, but Netanyahu said the Palestinian Authority “supports, trains and finances terrorism.” Blinken expressed his understanding of Netanyahu’s position, saying: “The best way to kill an idea is to come up with a better idea.” Other countries in the region need to know what you are planning to do.
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