By Servet Gunerigok
WASHINGTON (AA) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized Tuesday the need to protect civilians in the Israel-Gaza conflict and said they "must be able to get out of harm's way."
Blinken highlighted the importance of safeguarding Palestinian civilians at a UN Security Council meeting, citing concerns about Hamas "using them as human shields" and the deadly Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip.
He noted that Israel must take all possible precautions to avoid harm to civilians.
"It means food, water medicine and other central humanitarian assistance must be able to flow into Gaza and to the people who need them. I mean, civilians must be able to get out of harm's way. It means humanitarian pauses must be considered for these purposes. The United States has worked relentlessly to make real these principles," said Blinken.
He also said the US continues to coordinate closely with Egypt, Israel and partners across the region, as well as with the UN to build mechanisms to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. Blinken noted that the assistance would not benefit Hamas.
As the largest donor of aid to the Palestinian people, particularly through the UN Palestinian agency, UNWRA, Blinken urged all nations to contribute to meet the UN's appeal for addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
"At the heart of our efforts to save innocent lives in this conflict -- and every conflict, for that matter -- is our core belief that every civilian life is equally valuable. A civilian is a civilian is a civilian -- no matter his or her nationality, ethnicity, age, gender, faith," he said.
The diplomat also reiterated the US stance that the only road to lasting peace and security in the region is through two states for two peoples.
"We all agree that we must redouble our collective efforts to build an enduring political solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians," he added.
The conflict in Gaza, which has been under Israeli bombardment and a blockade since Oct. 7, began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.
Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
Nearly 7,200 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 5,791 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.
Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are running out of food, water, medicine and fuel, and aid convoys allowed into Gaza have carried a fraction of what is needed.