U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, continues his diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, focusing on the Israel-Hamas war. In an unexpected visit to the occupied West Bank, Blinken met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to address the suffering of civilians in Gaza and discuss a post-conflict plan for the territory. The visit was met with protests, as word of Blinken’s arrival leaked before it was officially confirmed by the State Department. The meeting between Blinken and Abbas concluded without any public comment, leaving it unclear if the discussion was successful. Palestinian ambassador to the U.K., Husam Zomlot, described the meeting as tense due to existing differences. He emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and urged the U.S. to play a role in mediating the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. After the meeting, Blinken made unannounced visits to Cyprus and Baghdad, where he discussed the attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq and emphasized the unacceptability of threats from Iranian-aligned militias. He called for a humanitarian pause in the fighting in Gaza to aid in the return of hostages and provide necessary assistance to Palestinians. In his conversations with Abbas, Blinken reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to delivering humanitarian aid and resuming essential services in Gaza, stating that Palestinians should not be forcibly displaced. The meeting also addressed efforts to restore stability in the West Bank and prevent extremist violence, particularly from Israeli settlers targeting Palestinians. As part of his ongoing Middle East tour, Blinken has expressed unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself, while also stressing the need to protect civilians and increase humanitarian aid in Gaza. He has suggested rolling humanitarian pauses to Israel’s airstrikes and ground operations to address these concerns and alleviate the crisis in Gaza. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected this proposal thus far. Despite growing international anger and demands for an immediate ceasefire, the U.S. is not actively pushing for one, believing it would allow Hamas to regroup and repeat their attacks. Instead, Blinken suggests temporary pauses in fighting to protect civilians and facilitate aid delivery, while still allowing Israel to achieve its objective of defeating Hamas. Arab officials, whom Blinken met with in Amman, emphasize the immediate need to address the humanitarian crisis and restore aid before discussing Gaza’s postwar future. Arab states do not want to play a larger role in resolving the crisis, considering it primarily Israel’s responsibility. The U.S. recognizes the importance of Arab support in improving conditions in Gaza and establishing a new governing authority. However, there are few concrete ideas on Gaza’s future governance, and proposals from U.S. officials have not been met with enthusiasm.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Engages in Historic West Bank Visit, Holds Vital Meeting with Palestinian Authority President
