Blinken dodges question on whether US has asked Israel to delay ground operation

Secretary of State Antony Blinken dodged a question Sunday on whether the United States has encouraged Israel to delay a potential ground operation into Gaza until more hostages are released.

“We are not in the business of second-guessing what they’re doing,” Blinken said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” when asked if the U.S. was asking Israel to delay a ground operation.

“We are talking to them on a regular basis about how they do it. It’s vitally important that every measure be taken to protect civilians, that humanitarian assistance gets in to people who are caught in this crossfire of Hamas’s making,” he continued.

President Biden also deflected when asked by reporters Saturday if he was encouraging Israelis to delay an invasion, responding with “I’m talking to the Israelis.”

Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told troops to prepare to see Gaza “from the inside” Thursday. The military has signaled an invasion for days with bombardments on Gaza but has not given a timetable for an operation.

Blinken reiterated that Israel has a right to defend itself in the wake of attacks launched by the militant group Hamas on Oct. 7, which prompted Israel to declare war on the group and launch a series of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip. Blinken said while the U.S. wants to see more hostages released, it is up to Israel to determine its steps forward.

“And of course both of us want to make sure that the many hostages who’ve been taken come [home]. And that’s why we’re working on it as I said virtually every minute of the day. But these are decisions that Israel has to make. We can give our best advice, our best judgment again about how they do it and also how best to achieve the results that they’re seeking,” he said.

Israel also revealed Sunday that it believes 212 people are being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. The U.S. has designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.

More than 1,400 Israelis were killed in an attack on Oct. 7 by Hamas. The Gaza Health Ministry said that at least 4,385 Palestinians have also been killed as a result of the violence, with another 13,561 people wounded in Gaza amid heavy bombardment by Israel in retaliation.