By Luis de Jesus
31 Oct 2023, 11:59 PM EDT
Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States, warned this Tuesday that declaring a ceasefire in Gaza will consolidate the terrorist action of Hamas. This was stated by the head of the country’s international relations in a Senate hearing, in which a group of activists interrupted him repeatedly.
“That would simply consolidate what Hamas has been able to do and allow it to stay where it is and potentially repeat what it did the other day (October 7) and that is not tolerable,” said the official, who explained President Joe Biden’s plan. to approve an urgent budget item of more than $100 billion dollars, which includes aid to Israel and Ukraine.
The US secretary responded in this way to Republican Senator Susan Collins, who asked him about his position regarding the demand of a group of protesters who broke into the hearing and, with their hands painted red and raised high, shouted to cease fire. in Gaza, indicated Efe.
“A ceasefire would be a strategic victory for Hamas. It would simply allow them to bide their time and prepare for future attacks and not pay any price for the greatest loss of Jewish life in a single day,” Collins said.
Blinken, in his response to the senator, recalled that issues such as humanitarian pauses must be considered to ensure that aid can reach those who need it and that people can be protected and out of danger.
“But we cannot have a situation where there is a reversion to the status quo, where when this is over, Hamas is once again responsible for the government and the so-called security of Gaza, because that is simply an invitation to repeat what happened and no nation “I would tolerate that,” said the secretary.
Benjamin Netanyahu does not consider it
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu already said Monday that he will not consider any possibility of a ceasefire in the armed conflict against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“Israel will not accept a cessation of hostilities with Hamas after the horrendous attacks of October 7. “Israel is asked to surrender to Hamas, to terrorism and to surrender to barbarism, and that will not happen,” said the Israeli prime minister during an appearance before the international press, quoted by the Efe news agency.
Likewise, the official added, the United States would not have accepted a ceasefire after the bombing of Pearl Harbor or after the September 11 terrorist attack against the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City.
Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech prior to the press conference that the Bible indicates that there is a time for peace and another for war. This, he emphasized, is a time of war “for a common future.”
“We draw a line between the forces of civilization and those of barbarism. It is a time for everyone to decide where they stand and for civilized nations around the world to get behind this fight. Because Israel’s fight is its fight. That is why victory will be your victory, but make no mistake: regardless of who supports Israel, we will fight until we win this battle,” said the prime minister.
Keep reading:
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• Top Hamas commander who helped lead massacre in Israel killed in airstrike