Antony Blinken reaffirms Washington’s opposition to any movement of Palestinians to Gaza
The United States remains opposed to any forced displacement of Palestinians, against a backdrop of the threat of a major military offensive by Israel in Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip, Antony Blinken said on Thursday, May 9, during a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart.
The American Secretary of State reaffirmed the “President Joe Biden’s clear position that the United States does not support a major military operation in Rafah, and the United States’ rejection of any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza”said his spokesperson, Matthew Miller, reporting on Mr. Blinken’s telephone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Choukri.
The Israeli army bombarded the Gaza Strip on Thursday, at a time when the United States is threatening to stop arms deliveries to Israel in the event of a major offensive in the overpopulated town of Rafah, on the Egyptian border.
Mr. Blinken “also expressed US support for the reopening of the Rafah crossing point and the continued delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid”added Mr. Miller.
On Tuesday, the Israeli army deployed tanks into Rafah and took control of the border crossing with Egypt, blocking the main gateway for humanitarian aid convoys to the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mr. Blinken also thanked Egypt for its mediation in the talks for a ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas.
CIA Director William Burns, who was heavily involved in the talks, returns to the United States on Friday, said White House spokesman John Kirby. According to him, the parties “have not fulfilled” their differences, but the United States “don’t give up all hope” that the discussions lead to an agreement.
