“We will not stop until victory”Netanyahu emphasized, explaining that this means “the destruction of Hamas, [lograr] return of hostages and restoration of security.”

For his part, Blinken reported via social media.

At a press conference, an American official spoke in favor of a temporary ceasefire, which, according to him, would allow for a safer rescue of the hostages, as well as evacuation of foreigners, wounded Palestinians and delivering more humanitarian aid.

In addition, Blinken said that Arab countries in the Middle East would be more willing to reach peace agreements with Israel without worrying about the plight of the Palestinians, and reiterated his support for a two-state solution to the conflict because “the only way to guarantee lasting safety.”

During his visit, Blinken also met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, while relatives of the hostages held a protest demanding no ceasefire without first returning the 241 abducted by Hamas the day the war began nearly a month ago. .

Meanwhile, despair is spreading among the population of Gaza, where many hospitals and cemeteries have been destroyed due to the growing death toll and shortages of drinking water, food, electricity and fuel.

Nearly 1.5 million people have been forced to flee their homes in the Gaza Strip, more than half the population, and many are desperate to leave the enclave through the Rafah crossing into Egypt, the only one in the enclave that has been opened. reasons to allow in humanitarian aid (not yet sufficient) or to evacuate the wounded and foreigners.

US President Joe Biden, who also visited Israel on October 18, defended on Wednesday the need for a “pause” in Israeli bombing in the Gaza Strip.

Washington first called for a “humanitarian pause” in the Gaza Strip on October 24 to allow aid to be delivered to civilians in the strip during Blinken’s speech to the UN Security Council, although it did not join the request for a pause. to the fire, which was recently started by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

EFE