Blinken's Visit to Israel Ends; US to Respond to Houthi Movements in the Red Sea

Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, at the end of his visit to Israel, stated that the Biden administration is prepared to respond, as in the past, to the movements of the Houthis supported by the Islamic Republic in the Red Sea if necessary. In a press conference at the end of his trip, Blinken mentioned that the US has discussed the movements of Hezbollah in northern Israel with Israeli officials, and they are seeking a diplomatic solution to prevent these movements from escalating into a full-scale war. Blinken also stated that the end of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip depends on Israel achieving its objectives. Since Hamas's attack on Israel, Israel has stated that it will not rest until Hamas is eliminated. At the beginning of his remarks at the press conference, he described South Africa's request to the International Court of Justice to investigate whether Israel has committed genocide as baseless. He said that Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and their supporter, the Islamic Republic, continually talk about the mass slaughter of Jews. Blinken also stated that Israel has promised not to force Palestinians to settle outside of Gaza. He firmly said that Israel must cooperate with Sigried Kaag, the new UN representative as the senior humanitarian coordinator and for the reconstruction of Gaza. This new group is set to begin its work by assessing the situation in northern Gaza to facilitate the return of its residents. Blinken concluded by stating that countries in the region are looking forward to a day when the long-standing conflict and endless war between Israel and the Palestinians come to an end. According to Blinken, whatever the solution is, it must include the establishment of an independent state for the Palestinians. Blinken warned Israel not to create obstacles to achieving such a goal, while also noting that the Palestinian Authority must undertake major reforms internally to be acceptable for governance. In the sudden attack by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7, at least 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians, were killed. Following that, Israel besieged the Gaza Strip and began its attacks aimed at destroying Hamas. Hamas is listed as a terrorist organization by the US, the European Union, the UK, Canada, Japan, and several other countries worldwide.