Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently reaffirmed the United States' unwavering support for Israel during a call with Israel's defense minister. Blinken assured that the US will stand by Israel in the face of any threats posed by Iran and its proxies. This conversation took place amidst heightened concerns over a potential attack by Iran or its allies on Israel following an Israeli strike on an Iranian facility in Damascus.
The discussion between Blinken and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also touched upon efforts to secure the release of all hostages through an immediate ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The State Department spokesperson highlighted that Blinken commended Israel for taking urgent steps to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and enhance humanitarian deconfliction and coordination. He emphasized the importance of preventing incidents like the recent strike on World Central Kitchen workers from happening again.
Blinken stressed to Gallant the US's expectation for Israel to promptly fulfill its commitments regarding humanitarian assistance and deconfliction, emphasizing the need for these efforts to be sustained over time. The ongoing dialogue between the two leaders underscores the close partnership between the US and Israel in addressing regional security challenges and promoting stability in the region.
