Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

It is time to end Gaza war — US Blinken

POSTED ON October 23, 2024 •   Politics      BY Benedicta Bassey
United State Secretary to Government, Antony Blinken/ Photo credit: Washington

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said “now is the time” to end the conflict in Gaza, calling on Israel to avoid further escalation with Iran.

Israel has been in constant battle with Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and has pledged to hit back against Iran’s October 1 missile strike.

In Lebanon, state media had reported an Israeli drone strike on Tyre, after the military warned residents of parts of the coastal city to flee ahead of operations targeting Hezbollah.

Mortada Mhanna, who heads the Tyre's disaster management said, “The situation is very bad, we’re evacuating people."

“You could say that the entire city of Tyre is being evacuated,” said Bilal Kashmar, the unit’s media officer.

The war in Gaza began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed 42,718 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry which the UN considers reliable.

Speaking on the conflict, Blinken told Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials in a meeting that, “Since October 7 a year ago, Israel has achieved most of its strategic objectives when it comes to Gaza… Now is the time to turn those successes into enduring, strategic success."

On aid to Gaza, Blinken said he saw “progress being made, which is good, but more progress needs to be made and, most critically, it needs to be sustained”.

The US diplomat said: “It’s also very important that Israel respond in ways that do not create greater escalation.”

The US diplomat urged Israel to seize what he described as an “incredible opportunity” to move towards a deal with Saudi Arabia.

Hostages still in Gaza

In his meeting with Netanyahu on Tuesday, Blinken urged his ally to seize on the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza to work towards a ceasefire.

Sinwar was the architect of the October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the Gaza war.

Netanyahu told Blinken that Sinwar’s death “could have a positive impact on the return of the hostages”, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.

Blinken also pressed for more aid to be allowed into besieged Gaza as concerns rise for tens of thousands of civilians trapped by fighting in the hard-to-reach north.

Israel launched a major air and ground assault in northern Gaza this month, vowing to stop Hamas militants from regrouping in the area.

The only medical facility still partially functioning in the targeted area has “no medicine or medical supplies”, warned Kamal Adwan Hospital director Hossam Abu Safia.

“People are being killed in the streets, and we can’t help them. Bodies are lying on the streets.”

Hezbollah heir

After nearly a year of war with Hamas in Gaza, Israel shifted its focus to Lebanon in late September, vowing to secure its northern border under fire from Hezbollah.

Israel ramped up its air strikes on Hezbollah strongholds around the country and sent in ground troops late last month, in a war that has killed at least 1,552 people since September 23, according to an AFP tally of Lebanese health ministry figures.

Hezbollah kept up its attacks on Israel Wednesday, saying it had fired rockets at an Israeli military intelligence base in the suburbs of commercial hub Tel Aviv.

AFP

READ ALSO
Ongoing Constitutional Review Aims to Empower Nigerians Against Unilateral Changes- Deputy Senate President
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 5, 2025 0

In a significant step towards amending Nigeria's 1999 Constitution, the Deputy Senate President and...

READ ALSO
Aregbesola Urges ADC Supporters to Maintain Civility Amid Political Tensions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 5, 2025 0

After the formal introduction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja, former Interior Min...

READ ALSO
2027 Election: Aisha Yesufu Urges ADC to Prioritize Youth,Women in Leadership
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 3, 2025 0

Socio-political activist Aisha Yesufu has expressed concerns regarding the makeup of the recently fo...

READ ALSO
We Rendered Oil Smuggling Unattractive, A New Era for Nigeria's Economy - Tinubu
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 3, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has proclaimed that his administration has salvaged Nigeria’s economy fr...

READ ALSO
Amaechi Exits APC, Calls for Urgent Restructuring of Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 2, 2025 0

A former Minister of Transportation,Rotimi Amaechi,has left the All Progressives Congress (APC).&nbs...

READ ALSO
Lagos Assembly Summons AG over Controversial Local Government Law Commencement
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

The Lagos State House of Assembly has called upon the State’s Attorney General, Lawal Pedro (S...

READ ALSO
PDP Bigwigs Urge Nigerians to Join New Coalition Against APC
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, ex-Governor of Jigawa Stat...

READ ALSO
Senate approves new leadership for Law Reform commission
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

The Senate has ratified the appointment of Professor Dakas C.J. Dakas as the Chairman of the Nigeria...

OUR CHANNELS:

Nnamdi Kanu's Release Not a Condition for South-East Support of Tinubu- Umahi
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

In light of calls for the release of the detained Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the banned Indigenous Peopl...


Real Madrid Edges Borussia Dortmund 3–2 in Thrilling FIFA Club World Cup Clash
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 6, 2025 0

Real Madrid emerged victorious from a heart-stopping 3–2 thriller against Borussia Dortmund in...


NCDC Reports 781 Confirmed Lassa Fever Cases in Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 6, 2025 0

Nigeria has reported 145 fatalities attributed to Lassa fever, which corresponds to a case fatality...


Flood: 27 Lives Lost, Hundreds Displaced Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts in Kerr County
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 6, 2025 0

At least 27 people have been confirmed dead, with many more displaced due to flash flooding in Kerr...


PSG Triumphs over Bayern Munich 2-0, Advances to FIFA Club World Cup Semifinals
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the European club football champion, has defeated Germany's Bayern Munich...


Ongoing Constitutional Review Aims to Empower Nigerians Against Unilateral Changes- Deputy Senate President
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 6, 2025 0

In a significant step towards amending Nigeria's 1999 Constitution, the Deputy Senate President and...


Aregbesola Urges ADC Supporters to Maintain Civility Amid Political Tensions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 6, 2025 0

After the formal introduction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja, former Interior Min...


South-West Demands Five New States and Constitutional Recognition for Traditional Rulers in Ongoing Constitutional Review
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 7, 2025 0

The demand for the establishment of five new states, the recognition of traditional rulers in the co...


Police Arrest Six After Abuja Market Killing
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 7, 2025 0

At least six suspects connected to the killing that led to unrest at Gosa Market on Airport Road in...


Dengue Fever Outbreak, 86 Cases Confirmed
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

EDO, Nigeria - The Ministry of Health in Edo State reported on Friday that there is an outbreak of d...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu