President Biden is sending Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the Middle East in an effort to safeguard the cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas following 11 days of intense fighting.
“He will continue our administration’s efforts to rebuild ties to, and support for, the Palestinian people and leaders, after years of neglect,” Mr. Biden said in a statement, while reaffirming the U.S.’s commitment to Israel’s security. “And he will engage other key partners in the region.”
Mr. Blinken is set to leave Monday and return Thursday, visiting Jerusalem; Ramallah in the West Bank; Cairo; and Amman, Jordan, the State Department said. He planned to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and other officials involved in talks.
The U.S., together with its allies Egypt, Qatar and several European nations, worked to persuade both Israel and leaders of Hamas to end their military campaigns. Washington doesn’t have direct contact with Hamas, which governs Gaza and is designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization.
Source Article from https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-israelis-stabbed-in-jerusalem-amid-heightened-tensions-11621862705
Comments