Blinken urges Israel on “clear and concrete plan” for Gaza’s future
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on May 15th that Israel needs a definitive plan for the future of Gaza, Asharq Al-Awsat and agencies reported.
“It’s imperative that Israel […] do this work and focus on what the future can and must be,” Blinken said. “There needs to be a clear and concrete plan, and we look to Israel to come forward with its ideas.”
While Washington and Israel agreed that Hamas cannot continue to run Gaza following the October 7th attacks, the long-standing allies are at odds over Israel’s quest for “total victory” over Hamas.
“We do not support and will not support an Israeli occupation. We also, of course, do not support Hamas governance in Gaza,” said Blinken during a press conference in Kyiv. “We’ve seen where that’s led all too many times for the people of Gaza and for Israel, and we also can’t have anarchy and a vacuum that’s likely to be filled by chaos.”
On May 7th, seized Rafah’s shared border crossing with Egypt following an overnight assault that left the city offensively bombarded from both enclaves. Many international powers have tried to dissuade Israel from continued violence in the region to little avail.
READ: Can Blinken stop Rafah offensive?
The US top diplomat has frequently visited the Middle East throughout the conflict, holding numerous rounds of talks with Israel’s Arab neighbors on a post-war plan for Gaza. Blinken concluded meetings with Israeli officials on May 1st, urging Hamas to accept a ceasefire deal.
Following Blinken’s remarks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified in a statement that post-war planning was impossible without first completing the demolition of Hamas.
He claimed that Israel has sought out Palestinians not aligned with Hamas to take charge of local civic management in Gaza — only to see them deterred by threats of Hamas retaliation.
“All the talk about ‘the day after’, while Hamas remains intact, will remain mere words devoid of content,” Netanyahu said. “Contrary to what is being claimed, for months we have been engaged in various efforts to resolve this complex problem.”
In an undermined critique of the Palestinian Authority, Netanyahu added, “We will not allow them to establish a terrorist state from which they will be able to vigorously attack us.”
Asharq Al-Awsat and agencies
