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Added on the 18/05/2021 15:30:12 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken implores Israel to avoid civilian deaths, even as he defends the Jewish state's right to attack Gaza in response to Hamas rocket fire. SOUNDBITE
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken leaves Joint Base Andrews as he heads back to the Middle East to push ahead a Gaza ceasefire deal, as cautious optimism rises. The top US diplomat, who is putting off vacation plans for his ninth trip to the Middle East since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, will fly to Tel Aviv ahead of expected meetings with the Israeli leadership. IMAGES
Both Iran and Israel should avoid escalating conflict in the Middle East, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says, in his most direct wording toward US ally Israel. "No one should escalate this conflict. We've been engaged in intense diplomacy with allies and partners, communicating that message directly to Iran. We communicated that message directly to Israel," Blinken tells reporters. SOUNDBITE
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urges Middle East rivals to agree to a Gaza ceasefire to "break this cycle" of violence, urging de-escalation as Iran prepares a potential strike on Israel. "Escalation is not in anyone's interests. It will only lead to more conflict, more violence, more insecurity. It's also critical that we break this cycle by reaching a ceasefire in Gaza," Blinken tells reporters. SOUNDBITE
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in calls Monday urged all sides in the Middle East to avoid "escalation," his spokesman says, as fears grew of an imminent Iranian counterattack on Israel. "It's important that all parties take steps over the coming days to refrain from escalation and calm tensions," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller tells reporters, describing Blinken's telephone calls in the region. SOUNDBITE
A woman is killed and five people injured in a knife attack in central London which police said they are investigating for possible terrorist links. IMAGES
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