US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday for discussions with Israeli leaders, aiming to prevent the expansion of the Gaza conflict, according to an AFP journalist accompanying him.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed Monday in Tel Aviv for talks with Israeli leaders as he seeks to prevent the Gaza conflict from widening, said an AFP journalist travelling with him.
The top US diplomat, on his fourth trip to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, is expected to put pressure on Israel’s government to reduce civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip.
Before his arrival, statements on the visit focused on his intent to “talk to them about the future of the military campaign in Gaza.”
Adding that he will do his utmost “to protect civilians, deliver humanitarian aid, and facilitate hostage release.”
The US diplomat also reiterated the “need to establish an independent Palestinian state,” asserting that “the West Bank and Gaza should be unified under Palestinian leadership.”
The Houthis must cease their actions because there will be consequences for their attacks.”
Blinken met with Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler before heading to Israel as part of efforts to stop the Gaza war from spiraling into a regional conflict.
Blinken was expected to discuss Red Sea attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, Saudi Arabia’s southern neighbor, during his talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Their private meeting in Al-Ula, a historic oasis in western Saudi, is the latest leg of a rapid tour of the region as concerns over the Israel-Hamas war continue to mount.
The talks were also set to touch on a potential normalization of ties with Israel after initial discussions were put on hold by the Israel-Hamas war, a senior official said.
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Vowing solidarity with the Palestinians, Yemen’s Houthis have launched more than 100 drone and missile attacks on targets in Israel and the Red Sea, disrupting traffic in the key shipping route.
The United States and 11 allies last week warned of unspecified consequences if the attacks continue.
But the situation is tense for Riyadh as it coincides with attempts to settle a long-running war between the Houthis and a Saudi-led international coalition.
Blinken’s meeting with Prince Mohammed is also a chance to sound out the Saudis on the prospect of an eventual normalization with Israel, a senior US official said—even if progress appears unlikely while the three-month war continues.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
