Blinken: Israel needs ‘clear and concrete plan’ for Gaza’s future; Rafah op has had ‘negative impact’

Israel needs a clear and concrete plan for the future of Gaza where it faces the potential for a power vaccum that could become filled by chaos, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says.

Israel’s limited operation in Rafah has had a “negative impact” just as it has taken steps to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza, Blinken says during a press conference in Kyiv.

“We do not support and will not support an Israeli occupation. We also of course, do not support Hamas governance in Gaza … We’ve seen where that’s led all too many times for the people of Gaza and for Israel. And we also can’t have anarchy and a vacuum that’s likely to be filled by chaos,” Blinken says.

The US top diplomat has held numerous rounds of talks with Israel’s Arab neighbors on a post-war plan for Gaza.

“It’s imperative that Israel also do this work and focus on what the future can and must be,” Blinken says. “There needs to be a clear and concrete plan, and we look to Israel to come forward with its ideas.”