Secretary of State Blinken: UN Request Calling for Gaza Bombing Pause Would Allow Hamas to ‘Repeat What It’s Done’ to Israel

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday he believes a United Nations request for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza would only embolden Hamas to conduct more attacks on Israel.

The U.S. vetoed a resolution from the U.N. Security Council that condemned Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel that claimed more than 1,400 lives, including Americans, while also calling for a pause in the fighting to allow for humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

In an interview with CBS' Face the Nation, Blinken said the first 20 trucks of humanitarian aid, including water, is being sent into Gaza on Sunday. He also said American hostages and hundreds of others remain who are being blocked from leaving the area by Hamas.

Face the Nation anchor Margaret Brennan asked why there is not a call for a humanitarian ceasefire after civilian casualties, noting the U.N. request.

"We want to make sure that we have sustained delivery of food, medicine, water, the things that people need. At the same time, I said something a minute ago that- that we have to- we have to remember," Blinken said. "Israel has to do everything it can to make sure this doesn't happen again. Freezing things in place where they are now would allow Hamas to remain where it is and to repeat what it's done sometime in the future. No country could accept that."

In a Sunday interview with Meet the Press, Blinken said he is also "concerned" about potential escalation in the region by Hamas ally Iran.