Blinken urges Israel to engage with region on post-war Gaza as fighting rages
- Top US diplomat visits Israel in latest round of Middle East crisis diplomacy since the conflict broke out
- Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, which staged a brutal attack on October 7 that killed 1,400 Israelis
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday called on Israel to work with moderate Palestinians and neighbouring countries on plans for post-war Gaza, saying they were willing to help rebuild and govern the territory but only if there is a “pathway to a Palestinian state”.
The US and Israel are united in the war against Hamas but sharply divided over Gaza’s future, with Washington and its Arab allies hoping to revive the long-moribund peace process, an idea that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition partners sharply oppose.
The war in Gaza is still raging, with no end in sight, and fuelling a humanitarian catastrophe in the tiny coastal enclave.
The fighting has also stoked escalating violence between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants that has raised fears of a wider conflict.
Speaking at a news conference after meeting with top Israeli leaders, Blinken said Israel “must stop taking steps that undercut the Palestinians’ ability to govern themselves effectively”.
Israel, he added “must be a partner of the Palestinian leaders who are willing to lead their people” and live “side by side in peace with Israel”.