TEL AVIV: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pursue a ceasefire in Gaza following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
During a meeting in Jerusalem, Blinken also pushed for increased humanitarian aid to Palestinians trapped in the blockaded Gaza Strip, where continuous Israeli airstrikes have deepened the humanitarian crisis.
According to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, Blinken “stressed the importance of building on Israel’s successful action in bringing Yahya Sinwar to justice by securing the release of all hostages and concluding the conflict in Gaza in a way that ensures lasting security for both Israelis and Palestinians.”
Sinwar was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Blinken suggested that Sinwar’s death could provide an opportunity for progress toward peace, despite ongoing Israeli military actions.
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On his 11th trip to the region since the conflict in Gaza began, Blinken highlighted the urgency of allowing more aid into Gaza, particularly for civilians in the north, where Israeli operations have severely restricted access.
“Blinken emphasized the need for Israel to take further measures to increase and sustain the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza and ensure that this aid reaches civilians across the territory,” Miller added.
The U.S. has been pushing for greater humanitarian access to Gaza, where international aid groups have described conditions as “catastrophic” due to the continued Israeli strikes.
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Last week, the Biden administration cautioned Israel that U.S. aid could be impacted if significant progress wasn’t made in delivering aid to civilians in Gaza.
In his talks with Netanyahu, Blinken also discussed broader regional issues, particularly regarding Iran. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to countering Iranian influence, with Netanyahu expressing his gratitude for U.S. support.
Blinken also stressed the importance of resolving the conflict in Lebanon diplomatically, urging compliance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon.
