US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Continues Frantic Diplomacy Efforts in the Middle East
Amman, Jordan (AP) — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has intensified his diplomatic efforts on Saturday in an attempt to garner support for planning a future for Gaza after the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This marks his second urgent mission to the region since the conflict began.
Following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s dismissive response to Blinken’s warning that Israel risks jeopardizing any potential peace deal with Palestinians, the US Secretary of State met with senior Jordanian and other Arab officials in Amman. These officials continue to harbor anger and deep suspicion towards Israel as it intensifies its offensive against Hamas.
Blinken’s first meeting was with Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Lebanon, which is economically and politically devastated, is home to Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed force hostile to Israel. The US expresses grave concerns that Hezbollah, already responsible for increased rocket and cross-border attacks on northern Israel, may become more actively involved in the conflict.
Despite Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah delivering his first major speech since the Oct 7 Hamas attacks, there was no forecast of greater involvement from the group. Nasrallah, however, claimed that US attempts to deter Hezbollah did not perturb the organization.
During his meeting with Mikati, Blinken expressed gratitude for the prime minister’s leadership in preventing Lebanon from being dragged into a war that its people do not desire. He also discussed US efforts to provide humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
Following the meeting, neither Blinken nor Mikati addressed reporters. Additionally, Blinken did not speak publicly during his photo opportunity with Qatar’s foreign minister. Qatar has been influential in negotiating the limited release of hostages held by Hamas and facilitating the exit of foreign citizens from Gaza into Egypt.
Blinken was then scheduled to meet with the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), responsible for assisting Palestinian refugees. UNRWA has reported that numerous staff members have been killed in Israeli airstrikes and is experiencing critical shortages of essential supplies such as food, medicine, and fuel.
Later, Blinken was set to hold group talks with foreign ministers from Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the chair of the PLO executive committee. All parties have condemned Israel’s tactics against Hamas, stating that they result in illegal collective punishment for the Palestinian people.
Blinken’s itinerary also included a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan. Earlier this week, Jordan recalled its ambassador to Israel and instructed Israel’s envoy not to return until the Gaza crisis concludes.
Despite their outrage at the civilian casualties caused by Israeli military operations, Arab states have thus far resisted US suggestions for them to play a larger role in resolving the crisis, believing Gaza to be a problem primarily caused by Israel.
The meeting with Blinken was initiated by Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi, who stated that it was organized “in the context of their efforts aimed at stopping the Israeli war on Gaza and the humanitarian catastrophe it is causing,” according to Jordan’s foreign ministry.
While US officials acknowledge the need for at least modest Arab support to alleviate the deteriorating conditions in Gaza and prepare for a potential post-Hamas governing authority, specific ideas regarding Gaza’s future governance are lacking. Officials have mentioned a vague possibility of involving a revived Palestinian Authority, international organizations, and potentially a peacekeeping force, but these suggestions have been met with tepid enthusiasm.