THE cost of war on Gaza’s civilians is “far too high”, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said.
Mr Blinken said Israel needed to remove barriers so more essential aid could be allowed into Gaza.
But he said Israel faced a huge challenge in fighting an enemy in Hamas which had embedded itself within the civilian population.
Mr Blinken was speaking after meeting Israeli leaders on his fourth trip to the country since the conflict began.
America’s top diplomat told a press conference in Tel Aviv that leaders in the region shared US concerns about the “dire humanitarian situation” on the ground.
But he said he had heard a new and powerful message from Israel’s neighbours over the last three days.
They are willing not only to live with Israel but to integrate the region in a way that makes everyone secure, including Israel, Mr Blinken said.
In other words, talk of diplomatic normalisation with Israel – which had appeared to be derailed by the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel – is on the table.
That, he said, would require some hard decisions and hard choices – which include Israel agreeing to a “clear pathway to the realisation of Palestinian political rights and a Palestinian state” which he said was vital for long-term peace.
Mr Blinken would not be drawn on whether this was something Israel would consider. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously voiced his staunch opposition to such a state, citing security concerns.
Israel launched its offensive in Gaza in response to a cross-border assault by Hamas – designated a terrorist organisation by Israel and many western nations including the US. 1,300 people were killed in the attacks.
Since then, more than 23,200 people – mostly women and children – have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
