TEL AVIV: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to work towards a ceasefire in Gaza after the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
In a meeting in Jerusalem, Blinken also pressed for increased humanitarian aid to Palestinians trapped in the besieged territory, where relentless Israeli bombardment has worsened the humanitarian crisis.
Blinken “underscored the need to capitalize on Israel’s successful action to bring Yahya Sinwar to justice by securing the release of all hostages and ending the conflict in Gaza in a way that provides lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller following the talks.
Sinwar, identified as the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, was killed in an Israeli strike. His death, Blinken suggested, could create momentum for a breakthrough in peace efforts, despite the ongoing Israeli military operations.
The Secretary of State, making his 11th visit to the region since the start of the Gaza conflict, emphasized the urgency of allowing more aid into Gaza, particularly to help civilians in the northern areas where Israeli violence has made access extremely difficult.
“Blinken emphasized the need for Israel to take additional steps to increase and sustain the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza and ensure that assistance reaches civilians throughout Gaza,” Miller added.
The US has been advocating for greater humanitarian access to the Palestinian territory, where international aid organizations have reported a “catastrophic” situation due to the ongoing Israeli violence.
Last week, the Biden administration warned Israel that US aid could be withheld if significant progress was not made in delivering assistance to the civilians in Gaza.
During his discussions with Netanyahu, Blinken also addressed broader regional concerns, particularly regarding Iran. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to countering Iranian influence in the region, with Netanyahu expressing gratitude for US support to Israel.
Blinken emphasized the importance of a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in Lebanon, calling for adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which outlines the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon.
