Blinken pledges US aid to rebuild Gaza, Israel’s Netanyahu vows ‘very powerful’ response if Hamas breaks truce
- The US Secretary of State said Washington would also ensure that Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers do not benefit from reconstruction assistance
- Blinken said he hoped to rebuild relationships with the Palestinian people after holding talks with the Israeli Prime Minister
But Blinken made clear that the US intended to ensure that Hamas, which it regards as a terrorist organisation, did not benefit from the humanitarian aid – a potentially difficult task in an enclave over which it has a strong grip.
Blinken began his regional visit in Jerusalem, where he held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli leader, speaking to reporters with the top US diplomat at his side, threatened a “very powerful response” if Hamas renewed cross-border rocket strikes.
The truce, brokered by Egypt and coordinated with the US, began on Friday after 11 days of the worst fighting between Palestinian militants and Israel in years. Now in its fifth day, it has been holding.
“We know that to prevent a return to violence we have to use the space created to address a larger set of underlying issues and challenges,” Blinken said.
“And that begins with tackling the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza and starting to rebuild.”