US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday held talks with Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, offering condolences for the lives lost in the Hamas terror attacks.
Continuing its air assault on Hamas in the wake of the multi-pronged terror attacks, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it struck over 200 targets of the terrorist group in the Al Furkan neighbourhood of the besieged Gaza Strip on Wednesday.
Sullivan's remarks came after US President Joe Biden denounced the attacks on Israel as "pure unadulterated evil," saying the stated purpose of the terrorist organisation Hamas is "to kill Jews."
Ashkelon, like many other Israeli cities and towns, has been the target of rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, leading to a dire need for safe havens for its residents.
"Secretary of State Antony J Blinken will travel to Israel and Jordan October 11-13, 2023, where he will meet with senior officials," said the US Department of State in a statement.
As Israel's coastal city, Ashkelon, comes under rocket fire, the media contingent, including the ANI team, reporting on the violence, also rushed for cover.