Israeli media reports 'tense' meeting between Blinken, Netanyahu
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Netanyahu's office refrained from issuing a customary readout of the meeting, a deviation that hints at potential discord with Blinken.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken answers questions during a press conference in "Tel Aviv", Palestine, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (Evelyn Hockstein/Pool Photo via AP)
A reportedly "tense" one-on-one meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was reported earlier in the day by Israeli media.
Netanyahu's office refrained from issuing a customary readout of the meeting, a deviation that hints at potential discord with Blinken.
Israeli Channel 12 report indicates a widening gap in the outlook on the ongoing genocide between the US and the Israelis, with Washington allegedly "running out of patience," despite it supplying the ongoing genocide with munitions and bombs.
The mounting differences have prompted Prime Minister Netanyahu to opt out of appearing alongside Secretary Blinken at their upcoming press conference, as highlighted by Channel 12.
Met with @IsraeliPM and reaffirmed our support for Israel’s right to prevent another October 7 from occurring.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 9, 2024
I also stressed the importance of avoiding civilian harm, protecting civilian infrastructure, and ensuring the distribution of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza. pic.twitter.com/1g7h27Ci8f
Read more: Anti-US sentiment on the rise in Arab region over support for 'Israel'
Palestinians' return conditioned in captives deal
Earlier today, a report by Axios revealed that Israeli officials informed Blinken that "Israel" is conditioning Palestinians' return to their homes in Northern Gaza with a new captives release deal.
Upon 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 captives-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.
Read more: Jordan warns Blinken, rejecting attempts to displace Palestinians
