Biden's Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, landed in Israel on Friday to promote a lull in the fighting and to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. In addition, he will try to promote a move to release some of the abductees held by Hamas. He is also expected to meet at the Kirya in Tel Aviv with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his small war cabinet. His visit to Israel was also joined by the new US ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, whose appointment was confirmed by the Senate this week.
Prime Minister Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Blinken at the end of their meeting at the Kirya in Tel Aviv // Omer Meron / GPO
Blinken will present the proposal for the hostage release deal to Netanyahu and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. He is also working to promote it vis-à-vis Arab countries in the region. Israel is not ruling out the proposal.
Blinken appears to be coming up with a "list of requests and demands" that mainly relate to expanding humanitarian aid to Gaza, such as bringing fuel into Gaza, while Israel opposes the move. However, an Israeli diplomatic source says Blinken was not there to discuss a ceasefire or cessation of hostilities.
The Americans emphasize that a "humanitarian pause" does not mean a ceasefire, but is intended to create an opportunity for a deal to release hostages, remove foreign nationals from the Gaza Strip and bring in additional humanitarian aid in trucks.
The new US ambassador, Jack Lew, photo: Reuters
Blinken is expected to end his visit at the same time as Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah's expected speech.
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