In a resounding condemnation of Jerusalem’s decision to continue military operations against Hamas in Gaza, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken warned Israel on Wednesday that it does not have a “license to dehumanize others”.

“The Israelis were dehumanized in the most horrific way on October 7,” Blinken told a news conference in Tel Aviv. “The hostages are being dehumanized every day since then. But this cannot to be a license to dehumanize others.”

The White House has made no secret of its displeasure with Israel over civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip and the humanitarian situation there throughout the war, but Wednesday’s criticism was the harshest yet.

“The vast majority of people in Gaza it had nothing to do with the October 7 attacks,” Blinken clarified. “The families in Gaza whose survival depends on aid deliveries from Israel are just like our families. They are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, who want to earn a decent living, send their children to school, have a normal life. They are. that’s what they want. And we cannot, we must not overlook it. We cannot, must not, lose our common humanity.” he added.

Blinken said the US has pressed and continues to press Israel “in concrete ways to strengthen the protection of civilians” and give more aid to those who need it.

“And we cannot, we must not overlook it. We cannot, must not, lose our common humanity.” he added.

Blinken said the US has pressed and continues to press Israel “in concrete ways to strengthen the protection of civilians” and get more aid to those who need it.

However, he noted that “Israel has made significant strides” to start the flow of aid to the Palestinians. “As a result, more aid than ever before” has been flowing to more places in Gaza “than at any other time” since October 7.

However, he stressed that Israel “must ensure that the delivery of life-saving aid to Gaza is not prevented for any reason, by anyone,” citing protests by Israeli citizens. He also publicly called for the first time on Israel to reopen the Erez crossing, which would allow aid to reach northern Gaza more immediately.

At the same time, Blinken warned, “the daily toll of innocent civilians affected by Israel’s military operations remains very high.”

Blinken also called for “a concrete, time-bound and irreversible path” to a Palestinian state alongside Israel, with the two states living in peace and security. This vision includes “an Israel that is fully integrated into the region, with normal relations with important countries, including Saudi Arabia.”

The US Secretary of State was also asked if the US sees any role for Hamas in post-war Gaza governance. “The short answer,” he said, “it’s no.”