US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman, the capital of Jordan, the State Department confirmed.
During the meeting, Blinken reiterated that the United States condemns Hamas’ attacks on Israel and stated that his country will continue coordinated efforts with its partners to prevent the spread of the conflict.
Expressing his condolences to the families of Palestinian civilians who were victims of the conflict, Blinken reiterated that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people’s right to honor, freedom and self-determination.
Blinken thanked Abbas and his team for trying to calm the situation in Gaza for the benefit of Palestinians, Israelis and tens of thousands of Americans living in the West Bank, and reiterated his country’s commitment to continue working with the Palestinian Authority and people to establish security.
The situation escalated in the Gaza Strip after Hamas attacks on Israeli cities on Saturday.
Israel retaliated with massive airstrikes on Gaza.
The number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli bombing of Gaza has increased to 1,799.
At least 1,300 Israelis have been killed and 3,436 injured in attacks from Gaza, AA reports.
