– I think that would be a big mistake, says Biden in an interview with CBS 60 Minutes.
He emphasizes that it is necessary to neutralize the extremists in Hamas who were behind the attacks on Israel a week and a half ago, and the mass murders of Israeli civilians. But he says Hamas does not represent all Palestinians.
Gave a speech
A speech Biden gave in the days following Hamas’ attacks on Israel and the mass killing of Israeli civilians has been described as the strongest Biden has ever given in support of Israel. He and his government have refrained from criticizing Israel for the massive bombing of Gaza, which has killed many civilians there.
Israel has urged a million in Gaza to leave the northern areas ahead of an Israeli ground offensive. Some politicians in Israel have argued for expelling all Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt.
– The president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmud Abbas, and pretty much every other representative I’ve had conversations with in the region have told me that it’s not something to think about, so we don’t support it, says Blinken in an interview with the al-Arabiya television channel .
The blink travels around
Blinken has traveled around the region since the Hamas attacks, among other things to try to avoid the war escalating and other countries getting involved, as well as to push for a humanitarian corridor to Gaza.
The United States’ starting point is that civilians should be able to remain in Gaza, but also that they should have protection and receive the help they need.
Bloody Hamas attack
Dramatic images and unique testimonies tell the story of the bloody massacre in which Hamas killed 260 people at a rave festival in Israel.