As the Israel-Hamas conflict has come to a halt with both sides claiming the victory, the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken set foot in Tel Aviv on Tuesday morning. He is expected to have a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, after which he will tour Cairo, Ramallah, and Amman. The US Diplomat also has plans to meet Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas. This Middle East Mission of Blinken is an attempt to bolster a ceasefire and as part of it, he will be rallying support to rebuild Gaza.
Blinken arrived as part of President Biden’s efforts to strengthen the ceasefire agreement. After his departure for Tel Aviv, Biden released a statement that encapsulated the US efforts towards resolving the deadly Israel-Hamas conflict. He explained Anthony Blinken’s role as a facilitator to “continue our administration’s efforts to rebuild ties to, and support for, the Palestinian people and their leaders, after years of neglect.”
Prior to his trip, the US Diplomat took to Twitter to state a more holistic goal that the US administration wants to achieve for the people of Palestine. Apart from making way for the ceasefire, Blinken acknowledged the state’s efforts to look down the long road for both Israel and Palestine. The US administration has been assessing several options, which will ultimately help to “build a better future” for both nations.
On Sunday, Anthony Blinken commended Biden’s efforts to lead to a ceasefire and declared that the President is still working towards finding a solution for both states. The deadly Israel-Hamas conflict has resulted in severe atrocities, including the killing of over 250 Palestinians. The onset of the fighting began during a face-off between the Israeli police and Palestinian protestors in and near the vicinity of the Al Aqsa Mosque. Several Jewish residents have also been threatening to expel Palestinian families from Sheikh Jarrah.
Till now, the United Nations has reported a death toll of over 250 people whereas more than 1300 people are severely injured. Hundreds of buildings in Gaza have collapsed due to Israeli airstrikes. Moreover, at least 65,000 Palestinians have been displaced due to the Israel-Hamas conflict, which so far cannot be contained. Numerous Palestinian children have had to bear the brunt of the suffering, losing their families and loved ones in the unanticipated attacks.
Ever since the Israel-Hamas conflict began, Biden has been under heavy criticism for his unconditional support to the state of Israel. Sen. Bernie Sanders called out the President for financing military weapons worth $735 million to Israel. In a statement, he pointedly stated the barbarities which had taken the lives of children and women in Gaza. “We cannot simply let another huge arms sale go through without even a congressional debate,” declared Sanders.
Despite calls for a ceasefire, the tension in the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to mount. On Monday, an Israeli soldier and resident were stabbed and injured in Jerusalem. The police later shot the suspect, calling it a “terrorist attack.”
