Blinken: Palestinians must be allowed to stay in Gaza

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in remarks Sunday that Palestinians must be able to return to their homes in Gaza as soon as it is safe.

Blinken said at a joint news conference with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani that aid to Gaza must be increased so that Palestinians can return to their homes. He reiterated the United States' rejection of comments made by some Israeli ministers last week that advocated resettling Palestinians outside Gaza.

“As Israel moves its military operations in the north to a low-intensity phase, the United Nations will also play an important role in assessing what is needed to enable the return of displaced Palestinians,” Blinken said on Sunday. It can be accomplished.” “Palestinian civilians must be able to return home as soon as conditions permit. They cannot and must not be pressured to leave Gaza.”

He also rejected statements by Israeli ministers earlier this month that suggested Palestinian resettlement could be the result of war. In a statement last week, the US State Department denied the “irresponsible” and “inflammatory” comments made by two Israeli ministers.

“We reject statements by some Israeli ministers and members of Congress calling for the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza,” Blinken said Sunday. “These statements are irresponsible and inflammatory and will only make it harder to secure a future for a Palestinian-led Gaza, where Hamas is no longer in control and the terrorist group can no longer threaten Israel's security.”

The United States has repeatedly called for a two-state solution to end the Israel-Hamas war, which has just reached three months of fighting. About 85% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have already been forced to flee since the war began last year, according to the Associated Press.

Additionally, the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health has reported that more than 20,000 people have died within the Gaza Strip since the war began.

Blinken also stressed that the United States is committed to helping the region reach a peaceful and secure solution.

“While we are focused on immediate goals, of course, we must also work toward lasting peace and security. “We have a regional approach that brings the nation.”