Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Urges Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza During Meeting with Antony Blinken
During a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas made a plea for an immediate ceasefire in the war-torn region of Gaza. Abbas’ spokesperson confirmed the discussion, which took place as the death toll in Gaza neared 10,000. This call for a ceasefire adds to a growing chorus of Arab leaders who are urging for a truce to end the violence.
Reporting from Ramallah, Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Jamjoom noted that the meeting lasted less time than expected and did not conclude with a joint press conference or statements, suggesting significant differences and disagreements between the US and Palestinian positions. Jamjoom highlighted that one key difference is the Palestinians’ demand for a ceasefire, while the US has expressed its intention to seek humanitarian pauses rather than a complete cessation of hostilities.
The mounting casualties in Gaza have led to increased scrutiny of the US’s diplomatic efforts by its Arab allies, who are increasingly frustrated by the deteriorating humanitarian situation. On Saturday, Israel carried out air raids that claimed the lives of over 50 people. In a news conference in Amman, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire, warning that the region is sinking into a “sea of hatred” that will impact generations to come. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry also called for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire.
However, a rare public divide emerged between Blinken and his Jordanian counterpart. Blinken stated that the US was against a ceasefire because it would give Hamas an opportunity to regroup. He argued that a ceasefire would be ineffectual, as demonstrated by a surprise Hamas attack on October 7 that killed around 1,400 Israelis. Blinken’s attempt to strike a balance in his approach involved calling for a temporary “humanitarian pause” while urging the protection of Palestinian civilians. Arab leaders, however, considered Blinken’s humanitarian pause call to be too weak, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted on continuing the offensive.
During Blinken’s visit to the region, Israel bombed several United Nations-run schools and refugee centers. In the recent strike on the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, at least 47 people lost their lives. The aftermath of these attacks has prompted criticisms of the US’s handling of the crisis.
According to Al Jazeera’s political analyst Marwan Bishara, Blinken’s calls for a humanitarian pause without pressuring Israel to rein in its actions are seen as hollow. Bishara questioned the usefulness of a humanitarian pause that merely allowed for another round of bombings, emphasizing that it does not bring peace or credibility.
Following his meeting with Abbas, Blinken traveled to Turkey to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan had been working to rebuild relations with Israel prior to the Gaza war, but his pro-Palestinian stance and criticism of Israel’s conduct during the conflict strained the bilateral ties. Erdogan stated that they had given up on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Turkey recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv in response. Israel’s foreign minister retorted that Erdogan had sided with Hamas over Israel.
The situation in Gaza remains critical, with urgent calls for a ceasefire coming from various Arab leaders. The US’s diplomatic efforts, and Blinken in particular, face scrutiny as the conflict continues.