US says ‘no lasting peace and security’ in Gaza region without meeting legitimate aspirations of Palestinians

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US said Wednesday there can be no lasting peace and security in the Gaza region without meeting the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians.

"We believe that is not just in the interest of the Palestinian people but in the long-term security interests of the Israeli people," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

The remarks came in response to a question by Anadolu about disagreements between the Biden administration and the Netanyahu government on post-war Gaza.

Biden said Tuesday that Netanyahu "has to change," and called Netanyahu's government "the most conservative government in Israel’s history” as it does not want a two-state solution. Hours before those comments were made public, Netanyahu admitted in a statement that there was disagreement with Biden on a “post-Hamas” Gaza Strip.

Asked how the US plans to overcome disagreements with the Netanyahu government, Miller said Washington previously overcame disagreements with the Israeli government on the increase in humanitarian assistance and humanitarian pauses in the Gaza Strip.

"You have seen most notably, I think, a very disagreement between us and the Government of Israel about the establishment of an independent Palestinian state," he said.

"So, the case that we have made to them privately and we will continue to make publicly to them and to other countries in the region and around the world is that there can be no lasting peace and security in the region without meeting the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people," said Miller. "We believe that is not just in the interest of the Palestinian people but in the long-term security interests of the Israeli people.”

Biden also said Israel is losing support around the world with "indiscriminate bombing that takes place."

In response to a question about "indiscriminate bombing," Miller said the US has not made a "formal determination."

"We understand Israel's intent, but as the secretary has said, what also matters is the results which is why we continue to encourage them to take additional steps to protect civilians from harm," he said.