Blinken To Visit Israel Amid Amid Conflict With Hamas

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will soon arrived in Israel on a lightning visit amid conflict with Hamas in Palestine. The trip underscores Washington's unwavering support for its ally as Israel conducts heavy retaliation in the Gaza Strip. Blinken, who is set to arrive on Thursday, is expected to hold discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli leader has pledged an unyielding response to what he termed the "savagery" of Islamist militants. "The United States has Israel's back. We have their back today, tomorrow – we will have it every day," Secretary Blinken affirmed to reporters before his departure. "We're determined to make sure Israel gets everything it needs to defend itself." President Joe Biden, who reiterated "unshakeable" US support, revealed that he had held another phone call with Netanyahu. The State Department reported that the death toll of US citizens in the violence had risen to "at least 22," with an unspecified number of American hostages believed to be held by Hamas. In a significant shift from the usual US calls for restraint in overseas conflicts, the Biden administration has made it clear that it supports Israel's right to respond with strength. A visibly emotional President Biden used a speech on Tuesday to condemn the Hamas attack, which has resulted in the deaths of children, innocent civilians, and sparked a mounting death toll on both sides. He described the attack as a moment when "a pure unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world." The White House announced its readiness to deploy a second US Navy aircraft carrier to the region, alongside one already dispatched, "if needed." US officials, however, have emphasized that their stance is against Hamas, not the Palestinian people, and welcomed the European Union's reversal of its decision to cut off development aid for Palestinians.