Blinken urges Israel to ‘capitalize’ on Sinwar death and reach Gaza truce

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, October 22, 2024. (Haim Zach/GPO)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, October 22, 2024. (Haim Zach/GPO)

During his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier today in Jerusalem, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the Israeli premier to seize on the killing of Hamas’s leader to work toward a ceasefire and hostage release deal in addition to pressing him to allow more aid into Gaza.

Blinken “underscored the need to capitalize on Israel’s successful action to bring Yahya Sinwar to justice by securing the release of all hostages and ending the conflict in Gaza in a way that provides lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller says after the meeting ended.

The top US diplomat “discussed the importance of charting a new path forward in the post-conflict period that allows Palestinians to rebuild their lives and provides governance, security, and reconstruction for Gaza,” the State Department readout continues.

Blinken and Netanyahu “also discussed Lebanon and ongoing efforts to reach a diplomatic resolution along the Blue Line that includes full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and allows civilians on both sides of the border to return to their homes.”

“They discussed the need to deter further regional aggression from Iran and its proxies, including ongoing efforts by the United States and its partners. The Secretary reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security,” the US readout adds.

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