CAIRO – 9 May 2024: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke, Thursday with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry according to the US State Department.
Blinken told the Egyptian Minister that the United States does not support a major military operation in Rafah and that it rejects any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
US State Department also said Minister Blinken discussed with his Egyptian counterpart diplomatic efforts to prevent the spreading of the conflict in Gaza.
Blinken expressed his gratitude for Egypt’s ongoing efforts to reach an immediate ceasefire that secures the release of hostages.
The Secretary also expressed the United States’ support for the reopening of the Rafah crossing and the continued flow of urgently needed humanitarian assistance.
An Egyptian source said in an interview with Israeli Kan channel, Thursday that the Americans must find a solution to the repercussions of the Israeli actions because the operation in Rafah is destroying the Egyptian means of mediation.
In a report broadcast by the channel, correspondent for political affairs, Roy Katz, said that part of the Americans’ decision came ‘due to the Egyptian protest’.
Egypt renewed its warning to all parties of the repercussions of any escalation in the Palestinian Rafah city, high-level source said.
Wall Street Journal, cited American and Israeli officials, saying that eliminating Hamas appears to be an ‘illogical option’, with or without a military operation in the Palestinian Rafah city.
Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said in a press conference, Thursday, that they are still discussing with Israeli officials their plans regarding Palestinian Rafah.
He added that the US cooperates with all partners to ensure the activation of measures aimed at establishing peace and stability in the region.
“We must work to provide more humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as more measures are needed to ensure the safety and security of innocent civilians,” Ryder said.
He noted that any loss of innocent civilian lives is a great tragedy, and that ‘Israel must abide by international humanitarian law’
“We stopped only one arms shipment to Israel to evaluate how Israel uses those weapons”, Pentagon spokesman said.
Delegations of Hamas and Israel left Cairo, Thursday following a two-day round of negotiations.
According to a high-ranking source, the Egyptian efforts along with other mediators' efforts are continuing to bring the two parties' viewpoints closer, especially in light of the recent developments in Gaza Strip.
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