Blinken in Israel: We will always have your back

The United States will stand firmly by Israel as the nation continues to strike back against militants in the Gaza Strip following the attack on Israeli soil over the weekend, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a press conference in Israel on Thursday.

Since the Hamas militant group's surprise offensive that killed over 1,200 Israelis, Jerusalem has bombarded the Palestinian territory and cut off food, water and medical supplies in retaliation.

“The message that I bring to Israel is this: You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself, but as long as America exists, you will never, ever have to,” Blinken said while standing alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Blinken emphasized that Washington’s support will be unconditional: “We will always be there by your side.”

"Your visit is another tangible example of America's unequivocal support for Israel," Netanyahu said.

At least 25 Americans were killed in the Hamas attack, Blinken said, a number that has steadily risen as the conflict has continued. Several Americans have also been taken hostage by the militant group, President Joe Biden said on Tuesday.

Blinken’s remarks come as the Biden administration calls for leaders in Jerusalem to conduct a “proportionate response” to the attacks. But the White House so far hasn’t said if there are any lines Jerusalem shouldn’t cross.

Earlier on Thursday, Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz said no supplies would be allowed into Gaza until the captives were released: “Not a single electricity switch will be flipped on, not a single faucet will be turned on, and not a single fuel truck will enter until the Israeli hostages are returned home,” he tweeted.

That response has faced some backlash. Palestinian envoy to the U.N. Riyad Mansour wrote in a letter to the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday that Israel’s actions are “nothing less than genocidal,” citing the blocking of food shipments.

The Gaza Strip is home to some 2 million Palestinians — nearly half of whom are under 18 years old — and was already impoverished before the latest strikes. Authorities there say at least 1,354 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Associated Press, with Israel saying hundreds of the dead inside Gaza are Hamas members.

The move was also blasted by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Wednesday: “The targeting of civilians is a war crime, no matter who does it. Israel’s blanket denial of food, water, and other necessities to Gaza is a serious violation of international law and will do nothing but harm innocent civilians,” Sanders said in a statement.

With American lawmakers overwhelmingly supportive of Israel in the past week, Blinken said Jerusalem has nothing to worry about.

“As Israel's defense needs evolve, we will work with Congress to make sure that they're met. I can tell you there is overwhelming, overwhelming bipartisan support,” Blinken said, highlighting the military assistance the U.S. has already provided to Israel since the attack.

The conflict could last for “weeks, if not longer,” principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer said Thursday morning on CNN, as the future governance of the Gaza Strip comes under question. The Israeli military used to oversee the territory before pulling out in 2005. Two years later, Hamas ousted the Palestinian Authority from power, won an election and took control. Israel has been mostly hands-off since then, but retains control over supply shipments into the walled territory.

As for how the territory will be governed following the conflict, Finer said it’s “another area we will be directly consulting with the Israelis on. We probably have some time. This is an operation that is likely to unfold over weeks, if not longer.”

“It's going to be the next challenge after this complicated military operation is completed and we are probably a long way from that, to figure out what the future of governance there looks like,” he added.

Blinken and Netanyahu both called for “moral clarity” on the situation in the press conference. When asked whether he believes Israel has heeded the calls to distinguish between militants and Palestinian citizens in the retaliatory strikes, Finer said U.S. and Israeli officials have had discussions on the topic.

“The fact that this is a subject, not just between staff on the U.S. side and the Israeli side but between the prime minister and the president, is a stark difference from how Hamas operates,” Finer said.

He also underscored the harsh living conditions those in the Gaza Strip already face. The U.S. and Israel are in talks about options for civilians, such as enacting humanitarian corridors, safe zones and other options for people to leave Gaza if possible.

There are “very difficult living conditions in the best of times, and this is pretty far from the best,” Finer said.