Despite Meager Outcomes, Blinken Deems Middle East Trip a Step Forward
Secretary of State Antony Blinken's Middle East trip yields significant headway despite limited immediate outcomes, showcasing diplomatic progress from his extensive engagements with leaders during the Israel-Hamas conflict
Secretary of State Antony Blinken departed from his whirlwind Middle East trip with few tangible results to show for his flurry of meetings regarding the Israel-Hamas war. Despite this, Blinken asserted that he had made progress on the goals he had set. The situation on the ground had changed since his last trip to the region, which took place just days after the deadly October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The stakes for this trip were equally high, as Israel was on the cusp of launching a new phase of its offensive in Gaza. This offensive has faced increasing global condemnation, leading to anti-American sentiment and a potential strain on relationships between the US and its partners. As the civilian death toll in Gaza continues to rise, concerns about a wider regional conflict are growing.
During his visits to Israel, Jordan, the West Bank, Iraq, and Turkey, Blinken prioritized the protection of civilians and the increase of humanitarian aid to Gaza. He emphasized the urgency of releasing the hostages held by Hamas and preventing the conflict from escalating to neighboring regions. Furthermore, he consistently advocated for the implementation of a "humanitarian pause" instead of a ceasefire. As he left Ankara for Tokyo on Monday, the US diplomat acknowledged that these efforts are still ongoing and developing.
"In each of these areas, we have made progress, and what struck me in all the places I visited and heard from various individuals on different issues, is the crucial role of American leadership, diplomacy, and engagement," Blinken responded to CNN's inquiry.
He hinted at a specific advancement in humanitarian aid, expressing, "In the upcoming days, you will witness a substantial expansion of this assistance, ensuring that it reaches more individuals in need and particularly those in Gaza who require it, while also facilitating the safe exit of people."
However, despite Blinken's strong statements, his messages have largely been ignored, especially in Israel. Although he publicly stated that innocent civilians should not bear the brunt of Hamas' inhumanity and brutality, Israeli forces continued to target civilian locations even after the visit by the high-ranking US diplomat. The forces justified their actions by asserting that these sites were being utilized by Hamas. Furthermore, since Israel intensified its offensive in Gaza, there have been no additional instances of Hamas releasing any hostages.
According to Majed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, negotiations to free the hostages are still ongoing. Qatar, which has played a significant role in mediating discussions with Hamas, remains committed to the mediation process. Al-Ansari confirmed to CNN that any release of hostages must be connected to a period of calm.
Speaking on Monday, Blinken expressed the importance of humanitarian pauses and stated that discussions with the Israelis are underway to address the practicalities of implementing them. He emphasized that progress on the issue of hostages is a critical aspect and a primary focus. Additionally, Blinken believes that a pause in hostilities could also advance the prospect of securing their release.
But shortly after his meeting with Blinken on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly rejected any cessation of the conflict, whether it be a temporary pause or a permanent ceasefire, until Hamas releases the hostages.
On Monday, President Joe Biden and Netanyahu discussed the potential for strategic pauses in order to allow civilians to safely evacuate from areas of active fighting, to ensure that aid reaches those in need, and to potentially facilitate the release of hostages, as stated in a White House summary.
A senior official from the State Department has revealed that the main obstacle preventing Israel from agreeing to a humanitarian pause is the issue of hostages. The Israeli government is determined not to show any sign of relief in exchange for the release of hostages. Similarly, many hostage families have expressed their desire for a ceasefire only after their loved ones are freed.
Regarding efforts to prevent the conflict from escalating, the top US diplomat stated on Monday, "We have had significant discussions and, beyond that, we are ensuring that countries in the region, including those I have visited or spoken to, are utilizing their influence and relationships to contain and resolve this conflict and crisis."
"Although it may not be the most apparent indication of advancement, the mere absence of adverse events can indeed be seen as progress," he remarked.
The American diplomat emphasized that "while there may be disagreements on certain matters, countries are expecting us to take action. However, we do share common perspectives on some urgent matters that we are addressing collaboratively. Furthermore, in areas where there may be differences, we are actively striving to communicate clearly and comprehend each other's viewpoints."
Disagreements over this issue were publicly evident during several stops of the trip. However, the US stance against a ceasefire, as Blinken contended that it would give Hamas an opportunity to regroup and possibly launch further attacks against Israel, has starkly set Washington apart from its Arab allies.
During a summit held in Amman on Saturday, Blinken joined his counterparts from Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, along with the secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization. According to a reliable source at the summit, the discussions were not characterized by conflict. Subsequent to the summit, at a news conference, the foreign ministers of Jordan and Egypt once again strongly criticized Israel's actions in Gaza while standing alongside Blinken.
Throughout the trip, Blinken emphasized the importance of discussing both the immediate and long-term future for the region and Gaza. He suggested that if Hamas is removed, the Palestinian Authority could potentially have a role in governing the strip, something Israel desires.
However, during a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, the issue of Gaza's future governance was not a main topic of discussion, as confirmed by another senior State Department official. Instead, the meeting was focused on addressing the current situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and was described as productive and constructive.
The topic of future control of Gaza was not extensively discussed in private during the summit in Amman. However, the US did not consider it to be a significant topic, as per the source familiar with the summit.
Moreover, the foreign ministers who attended the summit publicly declined to address any inquiries regarding "the day after."
"What lies ahead? How can we possibly speculate on the future of Gaza when we remain uncertain about the state it will be left in after this conflict concludes? Will we witness a desolate wasteland? Will we witness an entire population forced into refugee status? The truth is, we lack the necessary information and variables to even begin contemplating such scenarios," expressed Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.
