Blinken: Israel, not US, will make decision on end of its war against Hamas

Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a meeting with human rights leaders at the State Department, December 7, 2023, in Washington. (AP/Alex Brandon)
Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a meeting with human rights leaders at the State Department, December 7, 2023, in Washington. (AP/Alex Brandon)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tells CNN that Israel, not the US, will be the one to decide the timing of the end of its war against Hamas.

“We have these discussions with Israel, including about the duration as well as how it’s prosecuting this campaign against Hamas. These are decisions for Israel to make,” Blinken tells CNN’s Jake Tapper.

Blinken also says that he believes Israel has the right “intent” when it comes to minimizing civilian casualties in Gaza, “but the results are not always manifesting themselves, and we see that both in terms of civilian protection and humanitarian assistance.”

His comments come amid repeated reports that the US has been warning Israel behind the scenes that it needs to wrap up operations by the end of the year.

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