US Calls for Ceasefire as Blinken Highlights Post-War Strategy for Gaza
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Sulaiman - . October 23, 2024
- . Update: October 23, 2024 6:10 pm
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on an official visit to Riyadh. Before leaving for the state visit, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in front of the media that Israel should end the war in Gaza. This statement came after the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
In his official X account they posted: “Today Israeli PM Netanyahu and I talked about the importance of seizing this opportunity to end the conflict in Gaza, return all hostages, and chart a path to lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
https://x.com/SecBlinken/status/1848778578055270451
Blinken also said that Israel had achieved its goal of preventing a recurrence of the October 7, 2023, attacks, and they should now focus on bringing home the remaining 101 Israeli and foreign hostages. Israel should end the conflict. Blinken said; “The focus needs to be on getting the hostages home, ending this war and having a clear plan for what follows.”
During its speech US Secretary Blinken said, “It’s time to turn those achievements into a lasting strategic success”. He highlighted the the importance of securing the hostages’ release, ending the war, and planning for the aftermath.
Israel has devastated Gaza, because of war a mass displacement happened, innocent people are living in temporary shelters. Blinken called on Israel to make ways for humanitarian aids to reache to the people living in increasingly desperate conditions.
This is the first time when Blinken pushed for ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon. This happened since Israel killed the Hamas leader last week. According to the Arab News it can be a major diplomatic effort before the upcoming U.S. presidential election 2024.
But there is no clear stand from the side of Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has yet to present a clear vision for the Gaza post-conflict.
Blinken reiterated the U.S. stance against any Israeli occupation of Gaza and said he had received assurances from Netanyahu that Israel had no such plans, despite domestic pressure from some Israeli factions to permit settlers’ return. “It’s been longstanding U.S. policy, and it remains so. And as far as I know, it’s also Israel’s policy,” Blinken said, citing Netanyahu’s assurances.
Israel has increased its attacks in Lebanon against Hezbollah. Which is a militant group supported by Iran.
According to the news sources Hezabollah fired rockets in support of the Palestinians after this Israeli military also reported killing three Hezbollah commanders and about 70 fighters in southern Lebanon over the last two days. This news came after they confirmed the death of Hashem Safieddine who was expected to be the next leader of Hezbollah. Israel has also instructed more Lebanese residents to leave Tyre, a major port city.
