Before heading to Israel to board “the future direction of the military campaign in Loop“, the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinkeninsisted today on the need to establish an independent Palestinian State to end the war, something that “it will not be easy” to get.
“The future of the region must be one of integration, not division or conflict. And for that to happen, we need to see the establishment of an independent Palestinian state“Blinken told the press from Saudi Arabiahis last stop on his tour of middle East before leaving for Israel.
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The American, who is on his fourth tour of the region since the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, recalled that the Palestinian enclave and West Bank “They should be united under a Palestinian-led government”.
Relatives of Palestinians who died during an Israeli airstrike in Khan Yunis, cry next to the remains of their relatives outside the Nasser Hospital, in the south of the Gaza Strip, on January 7, 2024. (Photo by EFE/ EPA/HAITHAM IMAD)
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“No one I speak to thinks any of this will be easy, everyone recognized the obstacles and no one thinks anything will happen overnight, but we agreed to work together and coordinate our efforts to help Gaza stabilize and recover.“said the diplomat.
In this sense, he indicated that the Arab leaders with whom he has met these days in Jordan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia“are prepared to make the necessary commitments” and “make difficult decisions” to achieve these objectives.
The “future direction” of the war
The American, who these days has been critical of Israeli operations in Looprevealed that he will deal with the Israeli authorities “the future direction of the military campaign in Gaza“, which has left around 23,000 dead in three months, according to Gazan authorities, as well as “do more to protect civilians”.
:quality(75)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/elcomercio/L5LWEASKHJDVBBLLA65352BIFA.jpg "Blinken insists on the establishment of a Palestinian state to end the war 1")
Wrapped bodies of people killed in Rafah during the Israeli bombardment in the southern Gaza Strip, are placed outside Al-Najar Hospital on December 29, 2023 (AFP Photo)
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“We are now heading to Israel, where we will have the opportunity to share with Israeli leaders everything I have heard so far on this trip and also to talk with them about the future direction of the military campaign in Gaza“Blinken said.
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Likewise, he will insist “on the absolute imperative to do more to protect civilians” during Israeli military operations against the besieged Palestinian enclave.
Another issue he will discuss will be the importance of increasing humanitarian aid access to Gaza, where almost the entire population has been forced to move due to the war, and the “relentless efforts” of USA “to bring back the hostages” held by the Islamist group Hamas.
“And we will talk about how we see the future of the region and of Israel, and I am convinced that there is a future path that can really bring lasting peace and security for Israel, that can ensure that the October 7 never happen again and that can unite the region”, he asserted.
Avoid the expansion of the conflict
Precisely, Blinken began this new tour of the Middle East due to the growing fears of the expansion of the Gaza war and the intensification of attacks among the Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel on the common border, in addition to the actions of the rebels Houthis of the Yemen against merchant ships in the Red Sea.
:quality(75)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/elcomercio/WCTKURDRFRH2HG7SILDQN2Q75U.jpg "Blinken insists on the establishment of a Palestinian state to end the war 2")
Members of the Yemeni Coast Guard affiliated with the Houthis patrol the Red Sea near the port city of Hodeida, on January 4, 2024. (AFP photo).
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“The Israelis have been very clear with us that they want to find a diplomatic way forward that creates the kind of security that will allow Israelis to return to their homes.“Blinken said of the clashes between Hezbollah and Israel, which have displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the divide.
During the visit to Saudi Arabia, the American met with the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrellwho also visited the region to address the de-escalation with the authorities of the Lebanon and from Saudi Arabia.
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“We compare notes on our conversations in the region and efforts to reduce tension“Borrell, who today met in the Arab kingdom with the Saudi Foreign Minister, said on his X account (formerly Twitter). Faisal bin Farhan.
During their respective meetings, both representatives have expressed their support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State as a solution to end, not only the current war in Gaza, but also the historical conflict between Israel and Palestine and achieve peace in the Middle East.
“The road will be difficult, but there is no alternative to peace“Borrell assured.
:quality(75)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/elcomercio/f166835a-1a07-4080-9c33-5e7ee83f5eab.png "Blinken insists on the establishment of a Palestinian state to end the war 3")
