The United State has rejected plans by Israel to reoccupy or shrink the Gaza Strip after the recent war the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has saying Gaza should not be used as a base for terrorism, but also that its territory should not be reduced.
Al Jazeera reports that Blinken’s statement came amid reports that Israel has destroyed large areas of Gaza near the border with Israel, creating a de facto “buffer zone” that has reduced the already cramped territory of the coastal enclave.
Israel has also said that it will keep a tight military grip on Gaza after the war, despite the UN’s longstanding view that Gaza is occupied by Israel due to its blockade.
The US has not taken any concrete action to pressure Israel over its actions in Gaza, which have been condemned by human rights groups and some experts as potential war crimes. The US has also blocked several attempts by the UN Security Council to issue a statement calling for a ceasefire and respect for international law.
Blinken made his remarks in Buenos Aires, where he is attending a meeting of foreign ministers from the G20 countries.
He said that the US is committed to supporting humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts in Gaza, as well as advancing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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