US committed to Israel 'as it defends itself,' Blinken says
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday reaffirmed the U.S.'s commitment to Israel "as it defends itself."
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/blinken-g_hpMain_20231016-023228.jpg)
"The United States is also actively working to ensure the people of Gaza can get out of harm's way and the assistance they need -- food, water, medicine -- can get in," he said on social media. "Hamas does not care if Palestinians suffer."
The secretary is expected on Monday to travel to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"Over the past few days, I've traveled to Israel, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt," Blinken said. "What I've heard from every partner is a shared view to prevent the conflict from spreading, to safeguard innocent lives, and to get assistance to those in Gaza who need it."
-ABC News' Lauren Minore