U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarks on his fifth urgent diplomatic mission to the Middle East since Israel’s conflict with Hamas erupted in October
Antony Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday, with planned stops in Egypt, Qatar, Israel and the West Bank.
In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken commenced his fifth journey to the Middle East since the eruption of the Gaza conflict by meeting with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince. Amidst hopes for advancing a potential cease-fire agreement and initiating postwar strategies, Blinken aims to alleviate regional tensions.
However, daunting challenges loom across all fronts. Public discord between Hamas and Israel complicates negotiations for a truce. Israel’s dismissal of U.S. calls for a Palestinian state adds another layer of complexity. Additionally, Iran-backed militant groups in the region persist despite U.S. interventions.
In Gaza, signs of Hamas resurgence emerge in heavily damaged areas following Israeli retreats, underscoring the elusive nature of Israel’s objective to dismantle the group. Video evidence depicts extensive destruction, with nearly all structures damaged or razed.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant affirmed that the military’s operations in northern Gaza would persist for several months. He emphasized the continuation of the main offensive in the southern region, where intense fighting has endured for weeks. Gallant asserted that these efforts would persist until the military has complete control over the entire territory.
He mentioned that the offensive would gradually extend to Rafah, situated near the Egyptian border, where approximately 1.5 million displaced Palestinians have sought refuge. Egypt has expressed concerns that an Israeli presence along the border might jeopardize the peace treaty signed between the two nations more than four decades ago.
Following his arrival in Riyadh, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi authorities have reiterated the kingdom’s interest in potentially striking a historic normalization deal with Israel, contingent upon the formulation of a credible plan for establishing a Palestinian state.
During their meeting, Blinken emphasized the imperative of addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza and preventing the further escalation of the conflict. The State Department highlighted their discussions on fostering a more integrated and prosperous regional landscape. However, the prospect of such a comprehensive agreement remains distant amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as indicated by the recent influx of casualties reported by the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.
The escalating casualties bring the total Palestinian death toll from the four-month-long war to 27,478. While the ministry’s count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, it underscores that the majority of those killed have been women and children.
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The conflict has inflicted widespread destruction across Gaza, displacing 85% of its population of 2.3 million Palestinians and plunging a quarter of its residents into starvation.
