The U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has arrived in Israel in a gesture of solidarity following Hamas’s horrific attacks over the weekend.
It is anticipated that Blinken will press for the release of the American captives taken captive by Hamas.
Ahead of a potential Israeli ground assault, he will also call for moderation and secure passage for Gaza’s civilian population.
Over 1,100 Palestinians have lost their lives in airstrikes on Gaza, and at least 1,200 Israelis have perished in the assault.
It is also documented that 22 US citizens perished in Israel.
Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organisation by the US, took up to 150 people hostages when its fighters breached the border fence in several places in the Gaza Strip on Saturday and launched the most serious cross-border attack Israel has faced in a generation.
On Thursday morning, Mr. Blinken is scheduled to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and later in the day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He will meet Jordan’s King Abdullah and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday in Amman, the capital of Jordan.
It was previously said by US President Joe Biden that he had communicated to Mr. Netanyahu that Israel “must operate by the rules of war” when responding to Hamas assaults.
But he said Israel had a right and a duty to respond and called the attacks an “act of sheer evil”.
Israel has declared that it would not halt the bombardment until the captives are released, and that a complete blockade, including on food, gasoline, and other necessities, has been placed on Gaza.
Israel has pledged to destroy Hamas and bombarded the little enclave of 2.3 million people with heavy bombs.