US, diplomatic efforts to prevent the spread of the crisis in the Middle East

2023-10-14 15:50:38, Kosova & Bota CNA

The United States continues diplomatic efforts in response to the crisis that erupted after the Hamas attack. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States is making intensive efforts to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas. As Voice of America correspondent Cindy Saine reports, Secretary Blinken is conducting talks in the region with the aim of preventing the expansion of the conflict with other countries.

President Joe Biden called the humanitarian crisis in Gaza a priority as he delivered a speech on the economy in Philadelphia.

"We cannot lose sight of the fact that the vast majority of Palestinians had nothing to do with the horrific attacks by Hamas and are suffering as a result," President Biden said.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that conditions in Gaza have deteriorated beyond measure.

"Moving more than 1 million people through a densely populated war zone to a country without food, water or shelter, when the entire territory is under siege, is extremely dangerous and, in some cases, simply impossible." said the head of the UN, Guterres.

In Israel on Friday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin demonstrated US solidarity with Israel following last week's brutal attacks by Hamas militants that prompted Israel to declare war on the organization Washington designates as a terrorist organization. About 3,100 people have died in Israel and Gaza.

"Terrorists like Hamas deliberately target civilians, but democracies don't. This time calls for determination, not revenge and panic. Now is the time for safety and not giving up," said Secretary Austin.

Following his visit to Israel on Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Jordan's King Abdullah and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman on Friday, before heading to Qatar. He was asked if he was concerned that Israel was retaliating against Hamas on the current emotional scale, something it might later regret.

"What Israel is doing is not revenge. Israel is protecting the lives of its people and is taking measures to ensure that this does not happen again," said Secretary Blinken.

Mr. Blinken said that the US is working with international organizations and partners in the region to create what he called "safe zones" for Palestinian civilians./ VOA