By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) - Secretary of State Antony Blinken will host Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer at the State Department for talks over the need to broker a cease-fire to end Israel's war on the besieged Gaza Strip.
During the meeting, Blinken will "express the position of the United States that we need to get a cease-fire. We need to get the hostages released. We need to implement plans for the day-after that would establish governance, security and reconstruction inside Gaza," spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.
"That ought to be a priority not just for the United States, not just for other countries in the region, but for Israel as well," he added.
The comments come after at least 200 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on northern Gaza Saturday, according to local health officials.
Since Oct. 5, Israel has launched a large-scale ground operation in northern Gaza with the stated aim of preventing Hamas from regrouping. Palestinians, however, accuse Israel of seeking to occupy the area and forcibly displace its residents.
For nearly two months, no humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, and fuel, was allowed into the area, leaving most of the population there on the verge of imminent famine. More than 2,300 people have since been killed, according to Palestinian health authorities.
More than 44,400 people have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023. The UN estimates roughly 70% of the dead have been women and children.
On Nov. 21, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its deadly war on Gaza.