Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the West Bank on Sunday, urging for an immediate ceasefire in the war in Gaza. Abbas joins a growing number of Arab leaders calling for a truce as the death toll in Gaza nears 10,000. The meeting between Blinken and Abbas lasted less than an hour, with no statements made at the end. Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith reports that Abbas would have requested a ceasefire, but Blinken is likely to have rejected the request, as he has done with other Arab leaders. The mounting casualties in Gaza have placed the US’s diplomatic efforts under scrutiny by its Arab allies, who are increasingly frustrated with the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory. Israel, in its continued military offensive, killed over 50 people in air raids on Saturday. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive ceasefire, warning that the entire region is becoming engulfed in hatred. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, whose country is the main channel for aid and the escape of foreigners from Gaza, also called for an immediate ceasefire. Blinken, however, expressed opposition to a ceasefire, stating that it would give Hamas time to regroup. He argued that previous ceasefires have allowed Hamas to launch surprise attacks, as it did on October 7. Blinken’s visit to the region aimed to balance Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to accept a temporary humanitarian pause with the calls from Arab leaders for a full ceasefire. Blinken’s proposed humanitarian pause was seen as insufficient by Arab leaders and dismissed by Netanyahu. During Blinken’s visit, Israel bombed multiple UN schools and refugee centers. The bombing of the Maghazi refugee camp on Sunday resulted in the deaths of at least 47 people. The handling of the crisis by the United States has faced criticism, with doubts about its effectiveness and concerns that it may revert to the containment policy that preceded October 7. Blinken’s calls for a humanitarian pause were viewed as empty gestures without a more serious effort to rein in Israel’s actions. Blinken’s repeated rejection of a ceasefire has been interpreted as a tacit endorsement of war. After the meeting with Abbas, Blinken traveled to Turkey to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan’s pro-Palestine stance and condemnation of Israel’s conduct during the war have strained Turkey’s relations with Israel. Turkey recently recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv, leading to further tensions between the two countries.
Abbas Joins Arab Leaders in Urging Gaza Truce in Blinken Meeting | Benjamin Netanyahu Updates
