US opposes Gaza ceasefire, Blinken says

Blinken: US opposes ceasefire in Gaza Strip

The US opposes a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as it will only “perpetuate” the existing problems until the Hamas movement ruling there is defeated, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told the media.

Earlier, the US used its veto power to block the UN Security Council from passing a resolution calling for a halt to fighting in the Palestinian enclave.

“When it comes to a ceasefire now, when Hamas is still alive, still capable and declaring its intention to repeat over and over again the 7 October attacks, it’s just going to perpetuate the problem,” Blinken told ABC.

He recalled that the U.S. favours short humanitarian pauses in the fighting to exchange prisoners and bring in aid, and said the war could be stopped “as early as tomorrow” if Hamas capitulated.