US Leaders Call for Peace on Anniversary of Hamas Attacks
Washington DC, October 8
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin have expressed their sorrow and called for an end to the ongoing conflict on the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel. These attacks resulted in over 1,200 deaths and around 250 hostages.
Antony Blinken’s Statement
In a post on X, Secretary Blinken emphasized the need for a ceasefire, stating, “On the anniversary of the October 7 attack on Israel, we mourn the loss of lives in the tragic terrorist attacks, including Americans. It’s time to reach a ceasefire that brings the hostages home, secures Israel, alleviates the suffering of the Palestinian people, and brings an end to this war.”
Lloyd Austin’s Statement
Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin referred to the attack as one of the “bloodiest days” in Jewish history since the Holocaust. He expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and highlighted the US’s security assistance to Israel. Austin stated, “The atrocities Hamas committed on October 7th are a stark reminder of the threat posed by Hamas and other terrorist organizations backed by Iran.”
He also mourned the deaths of Palestinian civilians and American citizens in the conflict, naming Tawfiq Ajaq, Mohammad Khdour, and Aysenur Eygi. Austin called for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid, saying, “This is not just a day to mourn. It is a day to work.”
Background
The attacks on October 7, 2023, by Hamas in Israel led to a year-long conflict in West Asia, with significant loss of life and ongoing tensions.
Doubts Revealed
Blinken -: Antony Blinken is the US Secretary of State, which means he is responsible for managing the United States’ relationships with other countries.
Austin -: Lloyd Austin is the US Defence Secretary, which means he is in charge of the military and protecting the country.
Hamas -: Hamas is a group in Palestine that has conflicts with Israel. They sometimes use violence to achieve their goals.
Ceasefire -: A ceasefire is when two groups in a conflict agree to stop fighting for a period of time, usually to talk about peace.
Hostages -: Hostages are people who are captured and held by someone, often to force others to do something in return for their release.
Palestinian -: Palestinians are people from Palestine, a region in the Middle East that has had a long conflict with Israel.
Humanitarian aid -: Humanitarian aid is help given to people in need, like food, water, and medical care, especially during conflicts or disasters.
