US pushes Israel for Palestine's political rights but no word on immediate ceasefire
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US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who met Arab leaders before heading to Israel as part of his mission to find a way to end the Israeli war on Gaza, conveyed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the Arab world’s call for the realization of Palestinian political rights
But Blinken was found to be neutral despite his firm stand that Israel should refrain from indiscriminate bombardment causing civilian casualties while emphasizing the indisputable bond between the US and Israel.
While rejecting immediate calls for a ceasefire, Blinken emphasized the need for hard decisions and a pathway to realizing Palestinian political rights for lasting peace in the region.
During difficult talks with Israeli officials, Blinken called on Israel to refrain from actions that undermine the Palestinians' ability to govern themselves effectively. Israel's preference for local powerbrokers in the governance of Gaza and the West Bank, as opposed to the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, has posed a challenge to the U.S.-preferred option.
Blinken conveyed that Arab leaders in the Middle East were ready to contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza but insisted on a regional approach that included a pathway to a Palestinian state. The U.S. secretary of state highlighted the critical importance of realizing Palestinian political rights to break the cycle of violence.
Amid the diplomatic efforts, Blinken also urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid further harm to civilians in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilian infrastructure. However, there has been no indication of a decrease in violence in Gaza or along the disputed Israel-Lebanon border.
Escalating clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, the militant Islamist organization based in Lebanon, added to the complexity of the situation. Hezbollah targeted a key Israeli base in response to recent high-level Israeli assassinations in Lebanon. In retaliation, Israel killed four Hezbollah members, including one at the funeral of a senior commander from the group's elite Radwan force.
Blinken's regional tour aims to reach a consensus on Gaza's future and prevent the further escalation of the conflict across the Middle East. The situation remains tense, with ongoing violence in Gaza and heightened clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border.