'Israel' to Blinken: Palestinians' return conditioned in captives deal

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
9 Jan 2024 15:27
2 Shares

"Israel" is conditioning Palestinians' return to their homes in Northern Gaza with a new hostage release deal, Israeli officials told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, according to Axios.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, attends a meeting with "Israel's" Foreign Minister and officials, in occupied Palestine, Tuesday, January 9, 2024, as part of his week-long trip aimed at calming tensions across the Middle East. (AP)

"Israel" is conditioning Palestinians' return to their homes in Northern Gaza with a new hostage release deal, Israeli officials told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Axios reported that on his visit to "Israel", Blinken expanded on several goals in the US agenda, including the issue of forced displacement of Palestinians as the occupation war machine deliberately targets and destroys residential areas and compounds, forcing Palestinians out.

In a press conference with the Qatari Prince in Doha on Sunday, Blinken said Palestinians should return to Northern Gaza once conditions permit it, stressing "They cannot and they must not be pressed to leave Gaza."

On the other hand, Israeli officials aim to use Palestinians' return to Northern Gaza as leverage as they scurry to secure a hostage-release deal.

"We are not going to allow Palestinians to go back to their homes in northern Gaza if there is no progress with the release of hostages," one senior Israeli official said.

"There are Israeli and American hostages that are still held in Gaza. We think we will know within a few weeks whether a new deal to release them is possible or not," another said.

Israeli officials neglect the repercussions of their conduct, which hinders the progress of establishing a new hostage deal. The Qatari Prime Minister and officials informed the families of six US-Israeli captives in Doha that the recent assassination of senior Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut has significantly complicated efforts to secure a new deal, as per Axios.

Kill Gaza, then walk its funeral: the US-Israeli paradox

As the brutal genocide enters its 4th month, "Israel" has displaced 85% of Palestinians in Gaza, forcing them into a loop of constant evacuation of areas the IOF keep bombing. Estimates indicate that 70 to 80 per cent of buildings have been destroyed in Northern Gaza, essentially leaving Palestinians homeless.

Satellite data also indicates that Northern Gaza's water sanitation and electricity infrastructure has been pulverized.

As the damage gets done, IOF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said on Monday that the Israeli military is transitioning to low-intensity operations in the North of the Strip, meaning that fewer airstrikes and ground operations will be conducted by fewer forces.

Blinken, in return, said this would allow the United Nations and humanitarian organizations to assess the crisis and the steps needed to ensure Palestinians' safe return to the North, although the consensus reached by both US and Israeli officials indicates that it is still out of reach considering its present state.

However, planning processes for the future return of Palestinians, in collaboration with the United States and the UN, are expected to start, Israeli officials stipulate. The framework includes returns to households or shelters instituted by international organizations.

In contrast, operations in Khan Younis will resume at high-intensity proportions, as the IOF resume searches of Hamas leaders in underground tunnels, despite stubborn refutes to these claims and failures in finding any activity related to the Resistance under the tunnels in the four-month search.

'Israel's' foolish conduct in Lebanon

Blinken met with UAE's Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, before meeting with Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia.

His Middle East tour included plans to mitigate the spread of the war and its escalation to a regional conflict, particularly as Lebanon sees intense developments.

Hezbollah announced on Monday the martyrdom of one of its Resistance commanders on the path to al-Quds, Wissam Tawil, in an Israeli strike targeting his car in the town of Khirbet Selem, South Lebanon.

The attack was carried out shortly after Tawil left his home around noon and headed to his car parked on the opposite side of the road. Circulating footage shows his car set ablaze.

This follows the assassination, devised by "Israel", and martyrdom of the Deputy Chief of Hamas' Political Bureau Sheikh Saleh al-Arouri, in Beirut Southern Suburb, Lebanon, on January 2, 2024.

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon targeted a strategic Israeli military site, located on the highest point in the '48 occupied territories.

The attack on the "Meron" Air Traffic Control Base on Saturday morning saw the Resistance launch 62 guided missiles and rockets, directly hitting the intended targets at the site on multiple occasions. Hezbollah said that the attack was an initial response to the assassination of Palestinian Resistance leader, martyr Sheikh Saleh al-Arouri, and his brothers in the Southern Suburb of Beirut.