Blinken Enlists Morocco’s Aid to Free Hamas-Held Hostages, Prevent Escalation

In a telephone conversation with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken asked for Morocco’s help to free the Israeli and foreign (including American) hostages captured by the Palestinian movement Hamas on Saturday and taken to the Gaza Strip, reports Maghreb-Intelligence. His country is also counting on Morocco and the leadership of King Mohammed VI to prevent further escalation in the region.

On Saturday, Hamas launched the "Al-Aqsa Deluge" operation from Gaza against Israel before 6:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m. GMT). In total, more than "5,000 rockets" were fired. This surprise military attack also led to the capture of 150 hostages. Currently on a solidarity visit to Israel, Antony Blinken assures the support of the United States to the Israeli people. "Although you can defend yourselves alone, the United States will always be by your side. Those who seek peace and justice must condemn the terror of Hamas," he said.

A few hours after the surprise offensive of the Palestinian Hamas movement, Morocco called for an emergency meeting of the Council at the level of Arab foreign ministers for consultation and coordination on the deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip, and the triggering of military actions targeting civilians, as well as for the search for means to stop this dangerous escalation.