US's Blinken arrives in Israel in solidarity visit amid Gaza war
US's Blinken arrives in Israel in solidarity visit amid Gaza war
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to visit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Washington closes ranks with its ally that has launched a brutal air campaign on Gaza.
1 min read
Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Wednesday evening [JACQUELYN MARTIN/POOL/AFP/Getty]
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv on Thursday in a show of solidarity after Hamas's surprise weekend attack in Israel, an AFP correspondent travelling with him reported.
Blinken is expected to visit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Washington closes ranks with its ally that has launched a brutal air campaign on the Gaza, killing more than 1,200 people in the besieged enclave.
Blinken, who was under unusually tight security with guards in camouflaged military gear, was received at the airport by Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen.
In comments made before departing to Israel, Blinken stressed Washington's support to Israel.
"The United States has Israel's back. We have their back today, tomorrow – we will have it every day," Blinken told reporters.
"We're determined to make sure Israel gets everything it needs to defend itself."
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