NEW YORK – United States leaders are in Israel this weekend to offer more aid and ensure the safe escape of Americans in Palestine before an imminent Israeli ground assault.
Despite the U.S. believing that it had successfully secured safe passage for Americans stranded in the war-torn area, Egypt has yet to grant access. On Saturday night, President Biden voiced his support for innocent civilians trapped in the midst of the conflict.
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Bombs across Gaza have caused a bottleneck at the Egyptian border. Rafah was supposed to be the route out. One American citizen told a CBS crew the embassy called him at 2 a.m. to be in place by noon, but he and others had yet to be let across.
Mariel, a young British girl visiting her family in Gaza, expressed her fears as she spoke, “Wherever I go, I am constantly fleeing from danger, stumbling upon bombs and witnessing the tragic sight of lifeless bodies. Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder if one day I might meet the same fate as them. It’s an incredibly terrifying experience for me.”
President Biden condemned hate at the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner in Washington, D.C.
“The president emphasized the interconnectedness of antisemitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, and transphobia, stating that hate towards any group, if left unaddressed, paves the way for increased hate towards multiple groups with greater frequency.”
As people in Gaza face dire conditions with lack of food, drinking water, and electricity, concerns about a humanitarian crisis grow. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently in Israel, striving to persuade Egypt to open its border in order to alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians amidst the ongoing response to Hamas.
Blinken stressed that Hamas is an organization engaged in acts of terrorism. Its sole objective is to dismantle the state of Israel and commit acts of violence against Jews. It is crucial for the global community to recognize and acknowledge this reality.
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Hamas stands accused of employing civilians as human shields in an attempt to conceal its targets. Video footage reveals the escape route leading to Egypt being relentlessly bombarded by missiles, resulting in a distressing incident where a Palestinian medical rescue team was directly hit.
Under the vigilant supervision of U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a second shipment of military aid from the United States reached Israel on Saturday. This American vessel is laden with essential humanitarian supplies, as well as an additional arsenal of precision munitions and Iron Dome interception missiles, bolstering Israel’s defense against Hamas-launched rockets.
Austin reassured the American soldiers on the plane, acknowledging their diligent efforts to ensure its prompt arrival and emphasizing that there is still much more to come.
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Austin reminded Israel of its moral responsibility, noting that in the span of a week since Hamas initiated its attack, 1,300 Israelis have tragically lost their lives, while more than 2,200 civilian casualties have been reported in Gaza by the Palestinian health ministry.
Austin stated that our democracies become stronger and more secure when we uphold the laws of war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined troops near the southern border on Saturday, as they make preparations for a ground advancement.
President Biden had conversations earlier today with both Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, as well as the families of Americans who are either trapped or missing in both countries.
- In:
- Israel
- Gaza Strip
