Blinken urges Netanyahu to seek truces in Lebanon, Gaza

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday to discuss ending the conflict in Lebanon and Gaza in addition to securing pathways for humanitarian aid, according to a readout from the meeting.

“He 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,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller wrote in the release. 

He continued, "The Secretary and Prime Minister 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."

Blinken also "reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security" during the discussion.

The UN resolution adopted in 2006 urged Israeli forces to withdraw from Lebanon and encouraged the establishment of a demilitarized zone with the goal of improving relations between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah. 

However, over a decade after 15 nations signed the agreement, Israel is still working to peacefully navigate relations with Iran.

During Blinken’s meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem, he amplified the need to “deter” further regional aggression from Iran and its proxies after the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. 

Sinwar’s death was considered a major proponent for cease-fire negotiations but Netanyahu has shown no sign of letting up in the days following his assassination.  

President Biden previously expressed optimism over the opportunity for peace that the death of Sinwar could bring, saying “the opportunity for a ‘day after‘ in Gaza without Hamas in power, and for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike” exists “now[.]”

“Yahya Sinwar was an insurmountable obstacle to achieving all of those goals. That obstacle no longer exists. But much work remains before us,” Biden said.