'Israel Revisit' Blinken Meets Netanyahu Amid Air Raid Alert

US Secretary of State Tony Blinken, who revisited Israel, was forced to take emergency shelter during a missile attack siren triggered by Hamas while meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, major foreign media reported on the 16th (local time). They took refuge in a bunker for five minutes after the air raid siren sounded, and then resumed talks at the Israeli Ministry of Defense command center, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

Foreign media noted that this incident occurred as the US and Israel are considering a visit by US President Joe Biden to Israel. The US political media outlet The Hill reported, "Blinken’s visit focused on reaffirming US support for Israel, emphasizing humanitarian aid for civilians in the Gaza Strip, and discussing ways to expedite the release of 200 hostages held by Hamas."

On the 12th, the fifth day of the war that began with an attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Blinken was dispatched to Israel, met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and then toured Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt before revisiting Israel on this day. While the US is highly cautious about escalation, Israel expressed a willingness to endure a long-term conflict, revealing a subtle difference in tone between the two countries. According to Matthew Miller, Blinken discussed the results of his recent Middle East tour and received updates on the situation on the ground in Israel from Netanyahu, whom he met again in Tel Aviv after four days.

U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken, who completed his visit to Jordan, arrived in Tel Aviv, Israel on the 16th (local time). After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the 12th, Secretary Blinken revisited Israel for further consultations.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to spokesperson Miller, at this meeting, Blinken emphasized his firm support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas terrorism. He also reaffirmed the US commitment to provide whatever Israel needs to protect its citizens.

While the US has recently expressed unwavering political and military support for Israel, it is also cautious about escalation caused by involvement from Iran, Hezbollah (the Lebanese militant group), and others, and has increasingly emphasized the humanitarian crisis facing civilians in the Gaza Strip.

In an interview aired the previous evening on CBS’s "60 Minutes," President Biden warned that if Israel occupies the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, it would be a "big mistake." This statement revealed the US’s delicate position, which cannot offer unconditional support to Israel’s declared retaliation that "only tents will remain" after Gaza is devastated. Blinken likely conveyed this cautious US stance and discussed President Biden’s potential future visit to Israel, as reported by Israeli media.

Israeli soldiers are patrolling the northern region adjacent to Lebanon on armored vehicles on the 15th (local time). On the 16th, the Israeli military issued an evacuation order to its citizens residing in 28 villages near the Lebanon border.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Blinken also met separately with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. After meeting with Blinken, Minister Gallant said at a joint press conference, "This war will be a very long war, and the cost will be high."

He added, "We have always known that the US is a great ally, but today, the people of Israel and the world have seen you (Blinken) visit for the second time in a week, US senior officials here every day, and US-flagged ships sailing in the Mediterranean. People understand what this means."

In response, Blinken said, "You know our deep commitment to support Israel’s right and duty to protect its country and people," adding, "You will have America’s support for as long as you need."

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