Antony Blinken Condemns Civilian Deaths in Gaza, Calls for Steps to Minimize Harm

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has condemned the civilian deaths in Gaza and called for steps to minimize harm to Palestinian civilians.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has strongly condemned the civilian death toll in Gaza due to an Israeli military offensive, saying that far too many Palestinians have been killed and suffered in the last few weeks.

Blinken's remarks came at a media briefing at the end of the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue in New Delhi on Friday. He said that more needs to be done to minimise the harm to Palestinian civilians.

Need to Prevent Harm to Palestinian Civilians

Blinken said that the US will continue to discuss with Israel concrete steps that can be taken to advance the objectives of preventing harm to Palestinian civilians and maximising assistance to them.

He also said that the US will continue to focus relentlessly on getting its hostages home, referring to the Hamas militants who have abducted more than 220 Israelis.

India's Perspective on the Hamas-Israel Conflict

At a separate media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that the Hamas-Israel conflict figured prominently at the 2+2 dialogue.

Kwatra said that India has always stood for a two-State solution to the Palestine issue and an early resumption of dialogue. He noted that India had condemned the horrific terror attacks by Hamas when the hostilities started.

Kwatra said that India has asked for a strict observance of international humanitarian law, de-escalation of the situation and condemned the civilian casualties.

US Commitment to Humanitarian Assistance

Blinken said that the US will continue to focus on expanding humanitarian assistance to the people in Gaza.

He said that the US will also continue to focus on the steps that can be taken now to try to start to set the foundation for durable and lasting peace, which, as we have said repeatedly and believe, has to include two States for two peoples.

Joint Statement on the 2+2 Dialogue

A joint statement on the 2+2 dialogue said both the US and India expressed their commitment to continue coordinating with partners in the region on humanitarian assistance.

The statement also reiterated that India and the United States stand with Israel against terrorism and called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including with regard to the protection of civilians.

The ministers committed to continue coordinating with partners in the region on humanitarian assistance to meet the urgent needs of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

They expressed support for humanitarian pauses and committed to continue close diplomatic coordination, including with key partners in the region, to prevent the conflict from spreading, preserve stability in the Middle East and work toward a political solution and durable peace.