 FROM THE DESK OFSecretary Antony J. BlinkenU.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE |
| Israel has achieved important strategic objectives to ensure that October 7th can never happen again. Now is the time to end the war, get the hostages home, and chart a new path forward that enables the Palestinian people to rebuild their lives. Secretary Antony J. Blinken meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. (Official State Department photo by Chuck Kennedy) |
| Since October 7th of 2023, Israel has achieved important strategic objectives in ensuring that October 7th can never happen again. In the space of the year, Israel dismantled Hamas’s military capacity. It destroyed much of Hamas’s arsenal. It eliminated Hamas’s senior leadership, including, most recently, Yahya Sinwar. This has come at great cost to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Now there are really two things left to do: get the hostages home and bring the war to an end with an understanding of what will follow. During my travels to the Middle East this week, I joined intensive discussions about the importance of ending the war in Gaza, returning the hostages to their families, and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people. What follows in Gaza is critical, because we have to end the war in a way that keeps Hamas out and sets clear, concrete plans for Gaza’s governance, security, and reconstruction. The United States, the largest provider of aid to displaced Palestinians, continues to make vital contributions. In Doha, I announced an additional $135 million in humanitarian assistance – water, sanitation, maternal health – for Palestinians in Gaza, in the West Bank, as well as in the region. Since October 7th of last year, our humanitarian assistance now totals more than $1.2 billion. Meanwhile, it’s absolutely essential that humanitarian assistance gets to the people who need it in Gaza. Making Sure This Conflict Doesn’t Spread It’s imperative for us to make sure this conflict doesn’t spread. We are resolute in our defense of Israel when it is attacked by Iran and Iran’s proxies. As President Biden has said, our support for Israel’s security is ironclad. It’s also very important that Israel respond in ways that do not create greater escalation and do not risk spreading the conflict.We’re working intensely to reach agreements on the effective implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. We’ll continue to support the Lebanese parties as they work to resolve the presidential vacancy and empower leadership that reflects the will of the Lebanese people. It’s critical that the parties – notably, Hizballah – be moved back from the border, and Lebanese Armed Forces assume their responsibilities. This helps people on both sides of the border peacefully and securely return to their homes.This is what we’re driving toward: a peaceful diplomatic resolution. Sincerely,  Secretary Antony J. Blinken |
