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US and Israel See Opportunity for Peace After Hamas Leader's Death, But Path Forward Remains Unclear
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agree that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's death offers a new opportunity for peace in Gaza, but a clear path forward remains uncertain.
israel, flag, nature, and adventure by Cole Keister (@coleito)
WASHINGTON/ JERUSALEM - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed that the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar presents a new opportunity to end the conflict in Gaza, but their meeting did not yield a clear agreement on next steps.
Blinken, on his 11th trip to the region since Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, emphasized the need for a "new path forward" that allows Palestinians to rebuild and provides governance, security, and reconstruction for Gaza.
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Netanyahu vowed to continue fighting Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, stressing the importance of US-Israel cooperation against the Iranian threat. However, the US is urging Israel to avoid targeting Iran's oil and nuclear sites, fearing regional war and increased energy prices.
The US is pressing Israel to avoid hitting Iran's oil-export or nuclear sites in its promised retaliation for Iranian missile strikes on October 1. Iran has warned Arab states not to let the US or Israel use their airspace or bases for Israel's expected strike, threatening to target them in a potential counter-strike.
Blinken's discussion with Israeli officials included a detailed discussion of post-war scenarios, including a transition to unification of the West Bank and Gaza under the Palestinian Authority. Netanyahu emphasized the need for the US and Israel to join forces against “the Iranian threat.”
Israel has concentrated its military force in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah, which has been severely weakened by Israeli attacks. Israeli Defense Secretary Yoav Gallant said Israel's attacks in Lebanon "will continue systematically" until Hezbollah forces withdraw from southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah launched several missiles toward Tel Aviv hours before Blinken's arrival, prompting hundreds of thousands to seek shelter. Israel intercepted most projectiles or they fell in open areas.
The Israeli military widened its campaign in Lebanon, targeting Al Qard Al Hassan Association, accusing it of funding Hezbollah. Administrators of Beirut's Sahel General Hospital denied Israeli claims that Hezbollah is hoarding cash and gold in a bunker under the hospital.
Amos Hochstein, Biden's envoy for Israel-Hezbollah affairs, met with Hezbollah allies to discuss implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel seeks Hezbollah's disarmament and withdrawal from the Israeli border.
The conflict has displaced 1.2 million people in Lebanon and 96,000 Israelis, with 2,593 reported killed and 11,862 injured in Lebanon since October 2023.
