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Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State: “We must see a clear and implementable plan”
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Max Slovencik / EPA
Benjamin Netanyahu has given his approval for an army deployment in Rafah - but the US Secretary of State is not yet convinced.
“We need to see a clear and implementable plan,” said Antony Blinken, referring to the protection of the Palestinian civilian population in the southern Gaza Strip, after working talks with the Austrian government leadership in Vienna.
It must not only be ensured that civilians are brought to safety, but that they are also adequately cared for afterwards.
According to his office, Netanyahu had previously given his approval for an operation in Rafah.
In addition to operational operations, the army is preparing to evacuate the civilian population, the statement said.
The proposals for a hostage deal made by the terrorist organization Hamas are unrealistic.
However, Israel will send a delegation to Qatar to present its position for a possible agreement.
Numerous people have fled the fighting in the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.
Israel suspects there is a stronghold of Hamas fighters there and has already attacked the city from the air in recent days.
After Hamas's attack on Israel, Netanyahu stated that the goal was to destroy Hamas.
Meanwhile, there was support in the United States for Chuck Schumer after his speech about the Israeli government.
"He gave a good speech and I think he expressed serious concerns," said US President Biden after a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in Washington on Friday.
In his speech on Thursday, Schumer called for new elections in Israel and described Netanyahu as an "obstacle to peace."
He said new elections were the only way to enable a "healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel."
After the radical Islamic Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, the government coalition led by Netanyahu "no longer meets Israel's needs."
sol/dpa/AFP