WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oil, trade deals and a ceasefire agreement. The President has a lot on his plate in an upcoming trip to the Middle East. The State Department said the focus will be on strengthening relations in the region, but the visit will follow a tense time after Israel launched an airstrike against Yemen rebels.
“It’s about making sure we’re strengthening our partnerships and pursuing our common interests,” said Tommy Pigott, principal deputy spokesperson for the State Department.
The administration has been eager for Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire agreement, which could be one of the main focuses in President Trump’s upcoming trip.
“Hamas must release the hostages,” said Pigott. “The Secretary and the President are working towards a solution for the long term. Hamas cannot continue to exist. They have proven that through their own actions again and again and again the barbarity of their actions. So, Hamas must release their hostages. We stand with Israel and Israel’s right to defend itself and we have seen engagement from the highest levels to pursue that peace.”
Earlier this week, Israel launched airstrikes against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. They hit several power plants and the country’s international airport. The Houthis have targeted Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. Pigott adds the Houthis have also attacked ships passing through the area, which has prompted the US to ramp up strikes on Houthi fighters.
However, the President said the Houthis claim they will stop the attacks.
“They just don’t want to fight, and we will honor that,” said President Trump.
“This is about actions, not words,” said Pigott. “We have seen that capitulation from the Houthis as the president announced but we’re gonna be monitoring this. As the Secretary said, this is about the freedom of navigation, the ability of ships to use that area. So, if the Houthis stop blowing up ships, we would stop the bombings. That was always the case.”
