U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed today, in an interview with ABC News, that Washington has intelligence indicating the presence of Hamas tunnels beneath the Al-Shifa complex, and that Hamas is using civilian facilities and hospitals in its operations. Previously, Blinken urged Israel to take "urgent" action to stop settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that Blinken emphasized the urgent need to take positive steps to reduce tensions in the West Bank during a phone call with Benny Gantz, the Israeli opposition leader who joined the emergency war government formed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During his call with Gantz, Blinken also discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts to free the hostages held by Hamas since its attack on Israel on October 7. Earlier, the U.S. Secretary of State expressed concern to Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi after several staff members at the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza were injured.
A statement from the U.S. State Department today noted that Blinken and Safadi spoke, with the U.S. Secretary affirming that civilians and hospital workers "must have protection." Blinken praised Jordan's King Abdullah II and the Jordanian government and people "for their efforts to deliver essential humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people." He also reiterated Washington's commitment to achieving sustainable peace through the establishment of a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution.
