US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during his latest trip to the Middle East. Blinken reiterated the call for a truce in the war on Gaza and support for a two-state solution. He emphasized the importance of addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza and achieving lasting peace in the region.
During his meeting with Egyptian officials, Blinken discussed negotiations for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages, as well as efforts to protect Palestinian civilians. The US rejected any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. The Biden administration has warned Israel against using humanitarian aid as a bargaining tool and cautioned against a major ground assault in Rafah.
Despite mounting Palestinian casualties, the US continues to provide financial and diplomatic support to Israel, vetoing UN Security Council proposals for a ceasefire. Blinken has worked to secure a pause in hostilities for the release of captives and delivery of aid to Gaza. The visit includes meetings with Arab diplomats and will conclude in Israel, amidst growing criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
While the Biden administration maintains its pro-Israel stance, efforts to promote normalization between Israel and Arab states have faced challenges due to the conflict in Gaza. Saudi Arabia reiterated its position on establishing diplomatic ties with Israel only when an independent Palestinian state is recognized and Israeli aggression in Gaza stops. Netanyahu opposes a Palestinian state and advocates for Israeli security control over the territory.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
