Israel's push to eliminate Hamas after the October attack was a legitimate goal that could not be set aside -- including through a U.N. demanding a cease-fire, which the U.S. recently vetoed, said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday in his interview with ABC News, Paralel.Az reports.

"When it comes to a ceasefire in this moment, with Hamas still alive, still intact, and again, with the stated intent of repeating Oct. 7 again and again and again, that would simply perpetuate the problem," Blinken said.