Smoke and flames increase from a tower structure as it is damaged by Israeli air campaign in the middle of a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, in Gaza City May 12, 2021.
Ibraheem Abu Mustafa | REUTERS
The United States is sending out a diplomat to advise Israelis and Palestinians to soothe “harrowing” violence, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Wednesday, stating Israel had a specific duty to prevent civilian casualties.
“The images that came out overnight are harrowing,” Blinken stated. “I have asked Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hady Amr to go to the region immediately to meet with Israelis and Palestinians … he will urge, on my behalf and on behalf of President (Joe) Biden, a de-escalation of violence.”
Israel stated it eliminated 16 members of the Hamas military wing in a air strike on Gaza on Wednesday and Palestinian militants drizzled rockets into Israel as international issue installed over their most extreme hostilities in years.
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at a press conference to reveal the yearly International Religious Freedom Report at the State Department in Washington, on May 12, 2021.
Andrew Harnik | AFP | Getty Images
Blinken stated both sides should minimize violence. He drew a difference in between “a terrorist organization, Hamas, that is indiscriminately raining down rockets in fact targeting civilians, and Israel’s response, defending itself.”
However, he put a specific duty on Israel, stating “I think Israel has an extra burden in trying to do everything they possibly can to avoid civilian casualties, even as it is rightfully responding in defense of the people.”
