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Transcript/ScriptWASHINGTON WEEK AHEAD
HEADLINE: US Combines Military Might, Diplomacy to Contain Middle East Tensions
TEASER: US official: Negotiations in the works, but no timetable for new Hamas-Israel truce deal
PUBLISHED AT: 02/04/2024 at 6:01 pm
BYLINE: Veronica Balderas Iglesias
CONTRIBUTOR
DATELINE:
VIDEOGRAPHER:
VIDEO EDITOR: Henry Hernandez
SCRIPT EDITORS: Page, Mia (bal); caw
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Agencies, see script for others
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:56
VID APPROVED BY: mia
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES: Radio Tracks for Reversioning Included))
((TV INTRO))
[[With both a show of military might and a stronger push for a diplomatic solution, the United States is trying to contain a broader war in the Middle East. With the backdrop of Israel’s war against Hamas, Iran-backed forces in the region are committed to continuing their attacks against Western interests. Here’s VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias with the details.]]
((Mandatory cg: UK Defense Ministry))
((NARRATOR))
Even after a U.S.-led coalition successfully struck 36 Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday,
((Mandatory cg: DVIDS))
the United States can’t rule out more attacks by the Houthis or by Iran-backed militias in the Middle East, warned national security advisor Jake Sullivan on ABC’s “This Week Show.”
((Mandatory cg: ABC “This Week”))
((Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor))
“The central purpose of the strikes has been to take away capabilities from the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria that are attacking our forces and from the Houthis that continue to threaten Red Sea shipping, and we believe they had good effect in reducing degrading the capabilities of the militias and of the Houthis. And as necessary, we will continue to take action.”
((NARRATOR))
But the Houthis have vowed to continue their military operations, which they affirm are in retaliation for Israel’s war against Hamas targets in Gaza.
((NARRATOR))
More than 27,000 Palestinians have been caught in the crossfire and killed and more than 66,000 injured, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
[[RADIO INTRO: Yemeni Minister of State Nabil Mohsen Abu Nashtan]]
((Nabil Mohsen Abu Nashtan, Yemeni Minister of State)) -((ARABIC, male))
“What we see of aggression, siege, genocide and a medicine blockade on our brothers in Gaza. Citizens of Yemen, its tribes, weapons and men are getting ready to face this aggression and do what they can.”
((Mandatory cg: Israel Defense Forces Handout))
((NARRATOR))
Israel’s military campaign was launched in response to the Hamas terrorist incursion into Israeli territory on October 7. Some 1,200 people were killed in that attack and 240 more were taken captive. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said 17 out of 24 Hamas battalions have been toppled so far.
((Mandatory cg: GPO))
((Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister)) - ((HEBREW, male))
“Most of the remaining battalions are in the southern Gaza Strip and in Rafah, and we will take care of them, too.”
((NARRATOR))
The U.S. is boosting its push for a diplomatic solution to the conflict with a new visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the region.
((NARRATOR))
A multistage proposal for extended pauses in fighting and the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel is also in the works.
[[RADIO INTRO: National security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke about the matter on ABC.]]
((Mandatory cg: ABC “This Week”))
((Jake Sullivan, National Security Adviser))
“The president has put his shoulder to the wheel on this. He has spoken to the leaders in both Qatar and Egypt, two countries that are centrally involved in trying to broker this deal. We are in constant contact with our Israeli counterparts on it. // And Hamas will have to be willing to say yes to an arrangement that brings hostages home.”
((NARRATOR))
Sullivan noted the deal isn’t imminent and no timetable can be provided.
His remarks came after the United Nations warned Friday that the Rafah border area, in particular, is becoming quote a “pressure cooker of despair” for displaced Palestinians in Gaza.
((Veronica Balderas Iglesias, VOA News, Washington.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Washington D. C.
Embargo DateFebruary 4, 2024 18:57 EST
Byline
Veronica Balderas Iglesias, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
