Blinken works the phones in administration’s final push for Gaza, Lebanon ceasefires

WASHINGTON — The outgoing Biden administration pressed ahead on Friday with diplomacy aimed at reaching deals to end Israel’s conflicts in Gaza and in Lebanon, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaking to counterparts in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

US officials have said they will make a final push to reach deals on the conflicts, although it is unclear how much leverage they have over Israel and other actors in the region now focused on the incoming administration of former US president Donald Trump.

Blinken in his calls on Friday affirmed the administration’s continued desire to achieve a ceasefire with the Hamas terror group in Gaza as soon as possible and a diplomatic resolution to the fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as well as discussing the conflict in Sudan, spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

In his call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Blinken discussed “efforts to secure the release of hostages and establish a path forward that allows Palestinians in Gaza to rebuild their lives and advance governance, security and reconstruction,” Miller said.

With the UAE’s Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Blinken “discussed efforts to achieve a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows civilians on both sides of the Blue Line to return to their homes,” Miller said.

The Gaza and Lebanon ceasefire pushes were also raised during Blinken’s calls Friday with his British and German counterparts, according to State Department readouts. On Thursday Blinken spoke to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot about both efforts.