ANKARA, Nov 6 (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up a four-day journey to the Center East, with little breakthrough on reaching the humanitarian pauses that Washington is searching for to get in additional help into Gaza amid the Israeli bombardment of the enclave and set up calm to safe protected passage for the hostages Hamas militants kidnapped.
The highest U.S. diplomat embarked final Thursday on his second tour to the area for the reason that decades-old Israeli-Palestinian battle escalated after Oct. 7 when Hamas militants burst over into Israel within the deadliest assault within the nation’s historical past, killing greater than 1,400 folks and abducting 240 others.
Whereas dismissing rising worldwide requires a ceasefire, Washington has been searching for a humanitarian pause in Israel’s navy offensive however Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuffed Blinken on Friday after their talks, saying there will probably be no let up in Israel’s operations except there’s a deal on the hostages.
Requested what concrete progress he has made throughout his tour of the area, Blinken pointed to efforts to keep away from a regional escalation.
“Generally the absence of one thing dangerous occurring might not be the obvious proof of progress, however it’s,” he informed reporters earlier than departing to Tokyo for the Asia leg of his journey.
He mentioned Washington was targeted on getting extra humanitarian help into Gaza and would proceed to work with Israelis on steps to minimise civilian casualties however acknowledge the dearth of a breakthrough. “All of this can be a work in progress,” he mentioned.
Washington desires to forestall a wider regional battle and has stepped up diplomacy with international locations throughout the area whose peoples have been angered by Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
NO ERDOGAN MEETING
In Turkey, Blinken met with the Turkish Overseas Minister Hakan Fidan and mentioned efforts to spice up help into Gaza, the necessity to shield civilians and stopping the battle from spreading, statements from each side mentioned.
[1/5]U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Turkish Overseas Minister Hakan Fidan, amid the continuing battle between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, on the Ministry of Overseas Affairs in Ankara, Turkey, November 6, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/Pool Purchase Licensing Rights
The assembly between the 2 prime diplomats lasted two and a half hours, a U.S. State Division official mentioned. No talks occurred between Blinken and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who has criticised Washington over its “limitless assist to Israel”.
Blinken had met Erdogan in February, when he visited the nation following a devastating earthquake. Erdogan traveled to the Black Sea coastal metropolis of Rize on Sunday and remained there all through Blinken’s go to in Ankara.
Turkey, a NATO member which helps a two-state resolution within the Center East, has sharply escalated its criticism of Israel because the humanitarian disaster in Gaza has deepened. It additionally hosts members of Hamas, which is considered as a terrorist organisation by some Western international locations however not by Ankara.
As Blinken met Fidan in Ankara, dozens of individuals gathered exterior the overseas ministry constructing to protest U.S. assist for Israel.
Blinken “has given limitless assist to Israel’s genocide – not conflict,” mentioned activist Zeynel Abidin Ozkan, who took half.
Well being officers in Hamas-controlled Gaza mentioned on Monday that 10,022 Palestinians have been killed thus far within the conflict.
On Sunday, pro-Palestinian crowds tried to storm an air base in southern Turkey that homes U.S. troops hours earlier than Blinken’s arrival.
A Turkish overseas ministry supply mentioned Fidan informed Blinken {that a} ceasefire should be declared instantly in Gaza and that Israel should be prevented from concentrating on civilians and displacing folks.
Blinken mentioned U.S. concentrate on boosting help into Gaza and releasing hostages remained and added that different international locations within the area can play an vital position in getting them again.
“We’re working very aggressively on getting extra humanitarian help in Gaza. And we’ve very concrete methods in doing that. And I believe we’ll see within the days forward that help can develop in vital methods,” he mentioned.
Reporting by Simon Lewis, Huseyin Hayatsever, Ece Toksabay, Mert Ozkan and Humeyra Pamuk;
Enhancing by Daren Butler, Gareth Jones, Jonathan Spicer, Sharon Singleton and Marguerita Choy
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.
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