Blinken Arrives in Saudi Arabia for Hamas-Israel Truce
Blinken's Arrival in Saudi Arabia
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on a new Middle Eastern tour on Monday. This tour aims to ensure a truce in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas while fighting continues in southern Gaza.
Blinken’s Arrival in Saudi Arabia
Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia today, Monday, marking the beginning of his Middle Eastern tour. The U.S. top diplomat’s plane landed in Riyadh, reported an accompanying journalist from Agence France-Presse.
In his fifth visit to the region since Hamas’s attack on Israeli settlements on October 7, Blinken will stop in Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt, and Qatar.
Blinken’s Emphasis on Urgent Response
Before the visit, Blinken emphasized the urgent need to “respond to the humanitarian needs in Gaza”. Aid groups have repeatedly sounded the alarm about the devastating consequences of the nearly five-month-old war on the besieged enclave.
Situation in Rafah
Rafah, where the United Nations expressed deep concern about escalating tensions, now shelters more than half of Gaza’s 2.4 million population displaced by Israeli military operations.
Last weekend, the Israeli military advanced southward towards the border city, warning that its ground forces might enter Rafah.
On Monday morning, sources reported hearing artillery shelling in eastern Rafah and Khan Younis, Gaza’s main city.
Israeli Claims, Casualties
Israel claims that Hamas elements prepared for the October 7 attack in Khan Younis, and that senior Hamas officials are hiding in the city.
128 people, mostly women and children, were killed in Israeli bombing on Sunday night in the besieged area, according to Hamas’s Health Ministry.
The Israeli military announced that its soldiers continued to carry out “targeted strikes” in central and northern Gaza.
Proposed Truce
Blinken is expected to discuss a truce proposal upon his arrival in the region. The proposal was formulated during a meeting held last month in Paris with senior American, Israeli, Egyptian, and Qatari officials.
Diplomatic efforts have become more urgent with increasing attacks by Iran-backed groups in solidarity with Hamas, prompting the United States to carry out counterstrikes.
The new truce proposal stipulates a six-week ceasefire initially. In return, Hamas would release captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, according to a source in Hamas.
However, Hamas confirmed that no agreement has been reached yet. Some Israeli officials have expressed opposition to any concessions.
War in Gaza
The war in Gaza erupted after an unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1160 deaths, mostly civilians.
Around 250 hostages were taken in the attack, with Israel stating that 132 of them are still in Gaza, and at least 27 are believed to be killed.
Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas and launched a widespread military attack, killing at least 27,365 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the sector.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Residents of Gaza live in harsh humanitarian conditions. UNRWA, via social media platform XN, stated the extreme limitations in accessing clean water and sanitation amid continuous bombing.
UNRWA itself faces sharp controversy after 12 of its staff members were accused of involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack.
Over ten countries, led by the United States, suspended funding to the agency following these accusations.
Blinken’s Focus on Crisis
Before departing for the region, Blinken stated that the humanitarian crisis would be among the issues he will focus on.
In addition, he explained, in his discussion with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan that urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza and achieving stability in the Middle East are essential.
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