WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday voiced deep concerns over the escalating situation in the Middle East. They feared the risk of further attacks on US troops and the potential expansion of the Israel-Hamas conflict to the wider region.
Secretary Blinken, in an interview with NBC News, pointed out the role of Iran, warning that their actions could fuel escalation. He expressed the hope for the release of more hostages held by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.
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In response to Hamas’ actions, Israel launched relentless and brutal airstrikes on Gaza, a densely populated enclave home to 2.3 million Palestinian people. Palestinian officials report that these airstrikes have martyred over 4,700 innocent Palestinian civilians.
US Concern About Escalation
Defense Secretary Austin, speaking on ABC’s “This Week” program, expressed concerns about the potential escalation, specifically highlighting the risk of attacks on US troops and civilians throughout the region. He issued a stern warning, urging any group or country considering widening the conflict to reconsider their actions.
