Arab News Japan
TOKYO: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday stressed that the G7 supports the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip led by the Palestinian Authority.
He added that one of the keys to resolving the situation is the removal of Hamas and others who attack Israel. He also said the G7 don’t envision a return to the pre-October 7 status quo.
Blinken spoke to the media in Tokyo following a meeting of G7 foreign ministers. He said Israel is not planning to occupy Gaza after their military action is finished and emphasized the need to expand the flow of humanitarian aid and reduce casualties. However, he categorically rejected a ceasefire under the current circumstances as it would mean “that Hamas will remain and continue to hold hostages.”
Blinken said that diplomatic efforts are currently focused on a dialogue to guarantee there is no recurrence of the crisis.
“The G7 ministers reaffirmed our staunch resolve for Israel’s right and obligation to defend itself and seek to ensure the events on October 7 never happen again,” Blinken stated. “We had in-depth discussions about the steps that we are taking to address the urgent needs on the ground. We all agreed that humanitarian pauses would advance key objectives to protect Palestinian civilians and maintain the flow of humanitarian assistance and allow our citizens to depart through international exits and facilitate the release of the hostages.”
Blinken claimed Israel will stop the Israeli extremist violence in the West Bank by the settlers.
He added: “Those calling for an immediate ceasefire have an obligation to explain how to address the unacceptable result it would bring about.” Such an action, he added, would see Hamas left in place with more than 200 hostages and the intention of repeating the attacks of Oct. 7.
The only way out, Blinken suggested, is to ensure the current crisis never happens again. The US believes there should be no forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, no occupation and no blockade of Gaza, but equally no use of Gaza as a platform for terrorism or other violent attacks. The US envisions Palestinians and Israelis living side by side in states of their own with equal measures of freedom, security, opportunity and dignity, he said.
One thing he stated clearly: “Gaza can’t continue to be run by Hamas. That simply invites a repetition of October 7. We need to see a unity of government when it comes to Gaza and the West Bank and ultimately to a Palestinian state.”
Replying to a question on what role Japan could play in the peace process, Blinken said he appreciates Japan’s engagement in the conflict in Gaza.
Blinken welcomed Japan’s announcement of the granting of $75 million of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians. “We had a very constructive discussion about the importance of vital issues like what needs to be done to minimize casualties, to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza and to prevent the spread of the conflict to other places.”