Middle East conflict - Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate continue
While Israel's army has extended its ground operations to the entire Gaza Strip, diplomatic efforts to defuse the conflict continue.
US Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Israel's President Isaac Herzog and the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, about the situation in Gaza on her return flight from the climate conference in Dubai, according to the White House. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also spoke with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, about "ongoing efforts to facilitate the safe return of all remaining hostages and to increase assistance to the civilian population in Gaza".
USA in favor of two-state solution
Harris reaffirmed the USA's support for Israel's right to self-defense. She also expressed concern about steps that could lead to an escalation of tensions, such as violence by extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank. She reiterated the importance of planning for the day after the end of the fighting in Gaza.
The USA is committed to a two-state solution. She had also told Abbas this. Harris had assured Abbas of the USA's support "for the Palestinian people and their right to security, dignity and self-determination". The Palestinian people need a "clear political perspective", the White House added.
Air strikes and ground offensive
The war was triggered by the worst massacre in Israel's history, carried out by terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7 in Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip. More than 1200 people were killed on the Israeli side and around 240 hostages were taken to Gaza.
Israel responded with massive air strikes, a blockade of the coastal area and began a ground offensive at the end of October. Israel has now extended this to the south, where hundreds of thousands of civilians seeking protection had fled at Israel's request. According to the Hamas health authority, more than 15,500 people have already been killed in the Gaza Strip. This cannot be verified at present.
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Source: www.stern.de
