Blinken travels to Israel
Hamas’ major attack also surprised the USA
October 10, 2023, 10:20 p.m
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Not only Israel, but also the USA did not see Hamas’ large-scale attack coming. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Blinken has announced that he will travel there. Meanwhile, the USA is now reporting 14 deaths and other citizens are still in the hands of the terrorists.
According to its own statements, the US government had no information from American secret services about the attack on Israel by the Islamist Hamas. “We saw nothing that suggested an attack of this kind, nor did the Israelis,” said US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan. He was responding to a question from a journalist who asked whether anything had pointed to the attacks.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wants to travel to Israel. Blinken is expected to arrive there on Thursday, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller announced. Blinken wanted to discuss the situation with Israeli partners there and discuss how best to support Israel “in the fight against the terrorists who carried out these terrible attacks,” said Miller.
US President Biden had previously made it clear that the US had been in constant communication with Israeli partners and allies in the region and around the world since the beginning of the crisis. The US President also confirmed that there were Americans among the people abducted by the Islamist Hamas. He didn’t give a number. At least 14 have died so far and 20 are missing, the White House said.
Biden wants to request military aid from the US Congress
Miller emphasized that there are a number of countries capable of sending messages to the Islamist Hamas. “We have made it clear to these countries that they should call on Hamas to immediately release all hostages.” Biden said he had ordered additional experts to be sent from the United States. “I have instructed the government to consult with Israeli colleagues and advise them on the hostage rescue and rescue efforts,” he said.
The US President made it clear that he wanted to provide Israel with additional military aid – he would also apply for corresponding support from the US Congress. “We must be crystal clear at this moment: We stand with Israel,” emphasized Biden. The USA and Israel traditionally have a close friendship. The USA supports Israel with billions of dollars – a considerable part of which goes towards missile defense.
Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist organization by the USA, the EU and Israel, carried out the worst massacre of civilians since the founding of Israel in a major attack on the border area with Israel from the Gaza Strip on Saturday. At least 900 people were killed and 2,600 others were injured.