US Secretary of State meets with Netanyahu after ceasefire
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken emerging from a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This is day one of the secretary's three day Middle East tour. And the goal here is to shore up that cease fire between Israel and Hamas
11 days of carnage have left more than two hundred and fifty people dead. The people of Gaza are beginning the long, painful process of rebuilding.
The Israeli prime minister thanking the secretary of state for what he said was the US support of Israel's right to defend itself, mentioning that the US has supported helping Israel replenish its Iron Dome missile defense system, which helps intercept rockets that are launched by militants. But he did warn that if Hamas breaks the calm that exists right now, that the Israeli response will be very powerful.
He said the US is Israel's right to defend itself, but he did speak about the need to reduce tensions and maintain the cease fire. He also spoke at length about the need to help the people of Gaza, the humanitarian aid that is needed there, to help the people there rebuild after all of that destruction. He did make an announce the US will make a significant contributions to rebuilding Gaza.
He said there will be more details on that later today. He also spoke about the need to make sure that this aid that will be flowing into Gaza does not end up in the hands of Hamas, that they will somehow benefit from it. There is a big concern amongst the international community that this aid will end up in the hands of Hamas and helping them rebuild their tunnels and rebuild their rockets arsenal. I think what is notable about what we heard from the secretary of state is, well, there was talk about peace and calm. There was not necessarily specific talk about some sort of longer term, a peace deal, peace solution or a two state solution just yet.