US Secretary of State Urges an Immediate End to Gaza War During Unannounced Visit to West Bank
During an unannounced visit to the West Bank, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip. President Abbas urged the United States to take immediate action to halt Israel’s military offensive on Gaza.
At their meeting in the city of Ramallah, President Abbas called for an immediate cessation of the devastating war and a swift delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. He stressed the urgent need for medical supplies, food, water, electricity, and fuel to be provided to the embattled region. Denouncing any potential displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, the West Bank, or Jerusalem, President Abbas firmly stated his rejection of such plans.
President Abbas also highlighted the grave situation in the West Bank and Jerusalem, describing the attacks by Israeli forces and what he referred to as terrorist settlers. Holding Israel fully responsible for the escalating violence and bloodshed, he criticized the use of military solutions and emphasized the necessity for an immediate end to these crimes.
Underlining the significance of the Gaza Strip to the state of Palestine, President Abbas expressed his commitment to assuming full responsibility for the territory. He stressed the need for a comprehensive political solution that would incorporate the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, acknowledging their interconnectedness.
Earlier, Secretary Blinken met with foreign ministers from Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, as well as Hussein Al-Sheikh, the secretary general of the Executive Committee of the PLO, in Amman. President Joe Biden has previously called for humanitarian pauses in the conflict.
The Israeli military has intensified its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip in response to a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7. The death toll resulting from the Israeli aggression stands at 9,770, including 4,800 children, according to the health ministry in Gaza.
The visit by Secretary Blinken marks the United States’ continued efforts to engage with key regional leaders and address the escalating crisis. As the conflict persists, the international community remains hopeful for a swift and peaceful resolution that will alleviate the suffering of civilians and restore stability in the region.
