US Secretary of State Antony Blinken took part in the G7 summit in Tokyo on November 8th, 2023, and had a meeting with other members at the summit. Anthony Blinken at the G7 reiterated the White House’s position when he stated that once the ongoing battle ends, neither Israel nor Hamas will be able to rule Gaza.
Anthony Blinken at the G7
After the G7 foreign ministers met in Japan on Wednesday, Blinken gave a list of “key elements” required to establish “durable peace and security,” with the US seeming eager to start a discussion about post-conflict scenarios.
While conceding that Israel’s assault against Hamas militants in the Palestinian enclave may require a “transition period,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned Israel against reoccupying Gaza.
During a news conference held on the fringes of the Group of Seven summits in Tokyo on Wednesday, Blinken reiterated the United States backing for Israel’s endeavors to drive out Hamas, an organization that carried out an attack in Israel last month that claimed 1,400 lives and abducted over 200 more.
However, Anthony Blinken at the G7 said, “It is obvious that Israel cannot occupy Gaza.”
He also said, “Now, the reality is that there may be a need for some transition period at the end of the conflict. But it is imperative that the Palestinian people be central to governance in Gaza and the West Bank, as well”.
Israel to provide security to Gaza after the war – Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in an interview with ABC News on Tuesday that his nation will provide security to Gaza after the fight is over for an “indefinite period of time.”
According to Palestinian officials, as Israel steps up its ground operation and airstrikes in Gaza, over 10,000 Palestinians have died, including over 4,000 children.
Netanyahu has stated that a cease-fire cannot occur until Hamas’s hostages are freed. However, he did say on Tuesday that it is feasible to take “tactical little pauses—an hour here, an hour there.”
The foreign ministers of the G7 demanded “humanitarian pauses and corridors” on Wednesday in a joint statement in order to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the freeing of captives.
In addition, the G7 declaration denounced reported arms transfers between North Korea and Russia, pledged to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia “for as long as it takes,” and denounced a host of other Chinese acts.
Current conditions in Palestine
According to Hamas spokesman Abdul-Latif al-Qanou, “governing Gaza or part of our land is a Palestinian affair, and no force will be able to change reality or impose its will.”
Al-Qanou declared, “Hamas is a national liberation movement that lives in every Palestinian home.” “Hamas has the right to resist the occupation in compliance with all laws and customs, as he is an essential member of our people.”
Blinken heading to Seoul
Anthony Blinken at the G7 also said that he was working “very aggressively” to expand aid for the trapped civilians in Gaza. Blinken left for Seoul, where he would meet with senior South Korean leaders after the G7 meetings. U.S. officials say that military cooperation between North Korea and Russia will be a top priority.
In light of North Korea’s ongoing nuclear and ballistic missile programs and its preparations for what would be a third attempt to launch a spy satellite, Washington and Seoul have pledged to strengthen their combined deterrent against the country’s mounting threats.
Recent North Korean missile tests and suspected arms transfers from North Korea to Russia were sharply denounced in the G7 statement, which also claimed that these actions directly contravened resolutions of the UN Security Council.