Blinken, US Secretary of State, "Hamas Brings Only Destruction to the Palestinian People"

"Will Discuss Reconstruction with Moderate Palestinian Government"
US Central Command "Concerned Conflict May Spread to Lebanon"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken criticized the Palestinian armed group Hamas as an organization that has only brought destruction to the Palestinian people, emphasizing that he will discuss reconstruction plans together with moderate governments and political forces within Palestine. This statement is interpreted as an effort to diminish Hamas's political standing, weaken hardliners within Palestine, and strengthen dependence on the U.S. through reconstruction support. However, the U.S. military is reportedly concerned that these strategies, aimed at the U.S. exit strategy from the Middle East, could lead to increased involvement by China and Russia in the region.

On the 23rd (local time), Secretary Blinken said in an interview with U.S. ABC News, "Hamas has only brought destruction to the Palestinian people and has mismanaged the Gaza Strip comprehensively," adding, "Our task now is to find ways to support humanitarian reconstruction for moderate Palestinians and the Palestinian government."

He continued, "The ultimate path to peace is to provide a democratic state for the Palestinian people alongside Israel, and that is the path we must take," emphasizing, "We need to establish ways for both sides to participate positively in this solution." This explains the 'two-state solution' that the international community and previous U.S. administrations have continuously planned, which separates Israel and Palestine into distinct countries.

Secretary Blinken's remarks are interpreted as a strategy to reduce Hamas's influence within Palestine, form an independent democratic state based on U.S. financial aid in alliance with moderate Palestinian governments and political forces, and thereby reduce the scope of U.S. involvement as part of an exit strategy.

Previously, the U.S. government designated Hamas as a terrorist organization and drew a clear line stating it is not a dialogue partner regarding ceasefire and Palestinian reconstruction. On the 15th, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated at a press conference, "Hamas is a terrorist organization and does not represent all Palestinians suffering from the current violence," adding, "The rockets Hamas fired at Israel have no justification."

However, there are concerns within the U.S. military about this strategy leading to involvement by China and Russia. Frank McKenzie, commander of the U.S. Central Command responsible for security in the Middle East, said at a press conference on the same day, "The conflict occurring in Palestine is an issue that could arise anywhere in the Middle East," and "The U.S. military is closely monitoring the situation in Lebanon due to concerns that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could spread."

He warned, "This incident will not change the overall U.S. exit strategy from the Middle East, and the government will focus its efforts on China and East Asia," adding, "However, the U.S. is a country responsible for global security, and we must keep in mind that China and Russia could exploit the gaps emerging in the Middle East."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.