US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that the United States wants the war in the Gaza Strip to end as soon as possible, but before that, it is important for Israel to achieve its very legitimate goal, which is to ensure that what happened on October 7, 2023, will never happen again, and he pointed out that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured him that Israel will not encourage voluntary migration of Gaza residents.

Blinken's statements came in the context of a press conference he held at the conclusion of his visit to Israel yesterday evening (Tuesday), during which he seemed to place all the blame for the suffering under the burden of the war in the Gaza Strip directly on the Hamas movement.

Blinken said: “It is very important to remember that everyone has choices to make voluntarily, and this includes the Hamas movement. It was able to end the war on October 8, by not hiding behind the civilian population, laying down its weapons, and surrendering. "And the release of the hostages. No suffering would have been possible if Hamas had not done what it did on October 7. Once again, it can end the suffering tomorrow if it takes such steps."

Blinken responded to a question about the possibility of expanding the war. He said that the regional allies told him that escalation is not in anyone’s interest, and he added: “No one wants to see more fronts open in this conflict. The countries of the region are using their influence to ensure that this does not happen.”

Blinken indicated that the United States supports reaching an agreement that enhances the security of the population in the northern border region [with Lebanon], before the Israeli residents, who were evacuated from that region, return to their homes, and he expressed his belief that the diplomatic path is the best way to achieve this security, Confirming that this is what the Israeli government believes as well.

He also referred to Netanyahu's assurance to him that encouraging voluntary migration outside Gaza is not Israel's policy, and that the United States opposes any proposal calling for the resettlement of Palestinians outside the Gaza Strip.

Blinken said after being asked about attacks on American forces in the region: “If our forces are threatened or attacked, we will take appropriate steps, and we will respond.”

Blinken had confirmed earlier yesterday that the process of returning Gazans to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip needs time and security coordination, and indicated that Israel had agreed to the principle of sending a UN mission to assess the situation in northern Gaza.

Blinken said in statements he made to the media at the conclusion of his meeting with Netanyahu: “Today we agreed on a plan that allows the United Nations to send an assessment mission that will determine what must be done to allow the displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in complete safety in northern Gaza. As Israel confirmed "It does not seek to settle Gazans outside the Strip. Israel must allow the return of Palestinians to their homes as soon as conditions permit."

Blinken explained that the Israeli war in Gaza will move to a new, less intense phase. He called on Israel to take action to stop settler attacks [in the West Bank] that prevent peace, and added that Israel must work to make decisive decisions in this regard, as well as regarding opportunities for peace.

The US Secretary of State stressed that the United States will work to strengthen the Palestinian Authority, but at the same time, he stressed the need for this Palestinian Authority to reform itself.

He pointed out that the Arab countries he visited before his visit to Israel stressed the rights of the Palestinians and stressed the need to stop violence against them. He explained that many Middle Eastern countries are ready to invest in the future of Gaza, but they will do so only in the presence of a clear path to establishing a Palestinian state.

Blinken's regional tour today (Wednesday) is scheduled to include a visit to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, and to Egypt.

This is Blinken's fifth visit to the Middle East since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, and the Israeli war in Gaza that led to the deaths of about 23,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to Palestinian health authorities.