"Secretary Blinken Addresses Press on State Department Priorities"

Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States stands with Israel and is committed to preventing the conflict from spreading to other places, securing the release of hostages, and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He emphasized that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas attacks but must do so in a way that avoids harming civilians. Blinken also discussed his conversations with regional partners, their determination to prevent the conflict from spreading, and the need to provide assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. He announced the appointment of Ambassador David Satterfield to lead humanitarian efforts and expressed support for initiatives that can help bring assistance to Palestinians and prevent the conflict from escalating further.