In a recent interview with The New York Times, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed astonishment at the lack of international pressure on Hamas to surrender and release hostages held in Gaza since October 7, 2024.
Blinken questioned why there had not been a unanimous global call for Hamas to lay down its arms and end the violence.
Blinken also pointed out that Israel had offered safe passage to Hamas leaders on several occasions, but the international community remained silent.
He added that a hostage deal could be the quickest way to end the ongoing conflict, but Hamas has often backtracked from negotiations when public pressure on Israel intensifies.
Regarding the ongoing war, Blinken acknowledged that while Israel provided humanitarian aid, it had not done enough to ensure sufficient protection and assistance for civilians in Gaza.
The U.S. Secretary of State reiterated America’s unwavering commitment to defending Israel, despite the heavy casualties in Gaza, which have exceeded 50,000 Palestinian lives.
The humanitarian crisis continues to grow as tensions between Israel, Hamas, and other regional actors, including Hezbollah and Iran, escalate.
