Splits, heated exchanges at G7 meeting over Gaza
4 Min Read
While the Israeli Prime Minister is yet to offer a precise plan for Gaza in the event of successfully "eradicating Hamas," Blinken believes diplomatic efforts to find lasting peace are overdue.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken walks to meet Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Prime Minister's official residence in Tokyo, on November 7, 2023. (AP)
According to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday, "Israel" and allies should begin to set the conditions of "durable peace" in Gaza.
While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is yet to offer a precise plan for Gaza in the event of successfully "eradicating Hamas," Blinken believes diplomatic efforts to find "lasting peace" are overdue.
The Israeli occupation has been relentlessly bombarding Gaza since October 7, killing a total of 10,569 Palestinians, including 4,324 children and 2,823 women.
Netanyahu has been adamant about refusing a ceasefire unless captives held by Hamas are freed.
Just a few moments ago, he insisted on his policy that there will be no ceasefire in Gaza without the release of hostages.
“I want to put to the side all sorts of idle rumors that we are hearing from all sorts of directions, and repeat one clear thing: there will be no ceasefire without the release of our hostages," Netanyahu said.
An anonymous US official told The Washington Post that Netanyahu's mention of "Israel" possibly being responsible for Gaza's "security" worried the Biden administration, who believes "Israel" needs to take a completely different direction than an indefinite occupation in Gaza.
Leaders at the G7 meeting were split in their stances, and, according to sources familiar with the discussions, such divisions were evident within the conference of foreign ministers, when German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who has supported "Israel's" objective to destroy Hamas, and the top diplomat for the European Union, Josep Borrell, engaged in heated exchanges.
Read next: Netanyahu focused on 'post-war Gaza', seeks 'security responsibility'
As the aggression on Gaza rages for over a month, "Israel's" post-war preparations for Gaza are leaving US officials more anxious. They not only fear his management of the war but also fear he is giving conflicting messages about his commitment to a rebuilt Gaza under Palestinian administration.
After his meeting with European, Canadian, and Japanese foreign ministers, Blinken told reporters that it was crucial to “begin setting the conditions for durable peace and security and to frame our diplomatic efforts now with that in mind."
Blinken explained that the US believes that crucial conditions include "no forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. Not now, not after the war,” adding that in addition, Gaza should not be reoccupied or blockaded and besieged.
Blinken's warnings also come as a refusal to some private Israeli ideas, according to US officials, like a buffer zone between Gaza and occupied Palestinian territories that will inevitably come out of Gaza's territory.
During his address, Blinken also expressed that Gaza's territory should not be reduced.
Trouble in paradise
This is not the first pushback the Biden administration has had about Israeli ideas. When they suggested that Gazans "flee" to Egypt, the US rejected the proposal due to fear that Palestinians would not be allowed to return to Gaza.
Blinken asserted that “Israel" cannot occupy Gaza, noting that it is "imperative that the Palestinian people be central to the governance of Gaza and the West Bank.”
He maintained that the elements of peace include "Palestinian people’s voices and aspirations," in addition to a "Palestinian-led governance and Gaza unified with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority."
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers' statement reiterated that “we support humanitarian pauses and corridors to facilitate urgently needed assistance, civilian movement, and the release of hostages."
During his meetings in the Middle East, Blinken was faced with frustration by Arab leaders who are fed up with the blind support the Biden administration has been giving "Israel".
Blinken's response was to increase his opposition to a ceasefire, saying, “Those calling for an immediate ceasefire have an obligation to explain how to address the unacceptable result that would likely bring.”
