2024-05-14 02:11:45
The United States has not yet suspended the transfer of precision-guided munitions to Israel, but is exploring this possibility. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated this in an interview with CBS television, Day.Az reports with reference to TASS.
“The answer to this question is no,” Blinken said when asked by the presenter to clarify whether the United States had paused the supply of any other munitions to Israel, including precision-guided munitions, in addition to the 3,500 aerial bombs, the suspension of supplies of which had previously been confirmed by the Pentagon.
“We have made it clear that if Israel launches a large-scale military operation in Rafah [на юге сектора Газа], then we will not supply certain systems. But at the moment, the only thing we are delaying is high-yield bombs because we continue to consult with Israel, given the impact these weapons could have if used in densely populated areas, including Rafah,” he continued. Blinken said , that the United States expects Israel to hand over a plan to ensure the security of the civilian population of Rafah, as well as a plan “regarding what will happen after the end of the conflict in [секторе] Gaza.” According to him, the United States has not yet received either one or the other.
At the same time, Blinken doubted that Israel would be able to completely neutralize the threat from the radical Palestinian movement Hamas even if it carried out an operation in Rafah. “We are seeing some areas of Gaza that have been cleared by Israel from Hamas, where Hamas is returning, including in the north, including Khan Yunis,” Blinken said, emphasizing that the operation in Rafah, which is likely to be accompanied by “huge civilian casualties “does not guarantee the destruction of Hamas. At the same time, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, he said, “will create a vacuum,” which will likely “be filled again by Hamas.” “We have been working for many weeks to develop a security, management and recovery plan. [сектора Газа]. But we do not see the same from Israel,” the US Secretary of State emphasized.
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