Israel has reportedly killed hundreds more Palestinians as a result of its assault on Gaza, according to the Ministry of Health in the besieged Palestinian territory. US officials have repeatedly called on Israel to ease its attacks on Gaza.
There is growing concern over the danger of a regional conflagration if Israel’s war on Gaza turns into a regional conflict as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits the Middle East. Having met Gulf Arab leaders all day on Monday, he arrived late in the evening in Israel.
Palestinian authorities say that Israeli officials are entering a new phase of a more targeted warfare after weeks of mass bombardments that have wreaked havoc on Gaza and led to the death of more than 23,000 civilians, according to Israeli officials.
A series of meetings between Blinken and representatives of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia were held on Monday to try and find a way out of the conflict.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) was quoted as saying in a report by the Saudi state news agency SPA that it was crucial to end hostilities and establish a path to peace in Gaza.
It has been reported that MBS emphasised the need for the Palestinian people to have their legitimate rights restored and that stability must be restored.
According to blinken, he will inform Israeli officials at a later date that they should do more to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza and that Palestinians should be allowed to return to their homes. This comes after several right-wing Israeli officials have pushed for the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, according to Blinken.
Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates announced they would be considering taking part in and contributing to the development of “day after” scenarios for Gaza if they were interested.
During his press conference, he told reporters that he and his colleagues had agreed to cooperate and coordinate efforts in order to assist Gaza in stabilizing and regaining stability, as well as a path forward for the Palestinians to reach long-term peace, security and stability in the region at large.
While he did not provide specifics about what the countries had agreed to do, he did say that they had agreed to use their leverage and influence in the region to prevent the war from spilling over into neighbouring countries.
Among those attending the Saudi Arabia meeting was Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief.
During his speech in Charleston, South Carolina, President Joe Biden was interrupted by protesters calling for a ceasefire as he was addressing the audience.
Biden said that he understands the passion of the Palestinian people and he has quietly, silently been working with the Israeli government in an effort to get them to reduce and significantly withdraw from Gaza.
A new phase in the war has begun
Yoav Gallant, Israel’s national security adviser, stated on Monday that the war in Gaza would continue to move away from the “intense manoeuvring phase of the war” toward “different types of special operations”.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Gallant told his colleagues that the next phase would last a “longer period of time”.
“We’re very close to moving on to the next phase of the operation in the north, including Gaza City. We are determined to see this through, even if it takes some time. We aren’t giving up.”
Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that at least 23,084 people have been killed and 58,926 people have been wounded as a result of Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip.
During the 24-hour period covering the latest reporting period, the Ministry of Interior reported that at least 249 people were killed and 510 others were wounded.
That news provided by timenews.
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