In a recent statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared that Palestinians must not be forced to leave Gaza and should have the right to return to their homes once conditions improve. This comes as a response to statements made by certain Israeli ministers advocating for the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza. Blinken’s remarks were made during his visit to Qatar as part of his latest Middle East tour, amid the ongoing siege on Gaza.
The situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire, with over 22,000 casualties, primarily women and children, reported by the Hamas-run health ministry. The bombardment by Israeli forces has resulted in at least 113 deaths over the span of 24 hours. The current conflict was instigated by a cross-border attack from Hamas gunmen on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals, most of whom were civilians. Additionally, approximately 240 people were taken hostage during this incident.
Blinken firmly stated that Palestinian civilians should have the ability to return home once the circumstances permit. He stressed that they must not be coerced into leaving Gaza. These remarks were made in direct opposition to the views expressed by Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Smotrich advocated for the departure of Palestinians from Gaza to make way for Israelis, while Ben-Gvir proposed encouraging migration as a supposed solution to the crisis.
While the Israeli government maintains that Gazans will eventually be able to return home, details regarding the implementation of this plan remain vague. Blinken’s visit to the region comes at a time of heightened tensions, with concerns that the conflict in Gaza may escalate. The recent assassination of top Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri further exacerbated the situation. Alongside Arouri, six others were killed in a suspected Israeli attack in southern Beirut. This prompted Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah to condemn the aggression, vowing that it would not go unpunished. In response, Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel as a preliminary retaliation.
Blinken recognized the region’s profound tension and expressed concerns about the potential for further insecurity and suffering. He noted the impact of Arouri’s assassination on the complicated peace process. The US Secretary of State also lamented the death of journalist Hamza al-Dahdouh, the son of Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief, who was killed in an Israeli strike in southern Gaza. Blinken emphasized that too many innocent Palestinian lives have been lost in this devastating conflict.
Following his stay in Qatar, Blinken proceeded to make stops in Jordan, Turkey, Greece, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia, as part of his ongoing tour. As the conflict in Gaza continues to unfold, the international community closely watches the developments, hoping for a resolution that ensures the safety and well-being of all parties involved.
