Blinken Warns Israel That Humanitarian Conditions in Gaza Must Improve to Have ‘Partners for Peace’

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference in Tel Aviv on November 3, 2023, during his visit to Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference in Tel Aviv on November 3, 2023, during his visit to Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)
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Blinken Warns Israel That Humanitarian Conditions in Gaza Must Improve to Have ‘Partners for Peace’

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference in Tel Aviv on November 3, 2023, during his visit to Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference in Tel Aviv on November 3, 2023, during his visit to Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Israel on Friday that it risks destroying an eventual possibility for peace unless it acts swiftly to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza for Palestinian civilians as it intensifies its war against Hamas.

In a blunt call for Israel to pause military operations in the territory to allow for the immediate and increased delivery of assistance, Blinken said the current situation would drive Palestinians toward further radicalism and effectively end prospects for any eventual resumption of peace talks to end the conflict.

"There will be no partners for peace if they’re consumed by humanitarian catastrophe and alienated by any perceived indifference to their plight," Blinken said.

The comments to reporters in Tel Aviv, following meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials, amounted to some of the Biden administration's strongest warnings since the brutal Oct. 7 rampage by Hamas that killed more than 1,400 civilians and soldiers.

But the remarks were also tempered by Blinken's continued support for Israel's "right and obligation to defend itself, defend its people and take the steps necessary to try to ensure that this never happens again."

He described being moved by additional video he'd been shown in Israel of violent and deadly acts by the Hamas militants who carried out the attack.

"It is striking, and in some ways shocking, that the brutality of the slaughter has receded so quickly in the memories of so many, but not in Israel and not in America," he said.

At the same time, he said he was also shaken by images of dead and wounded Palestinian children in Gaza.

"When I see that, I see my own children. How can we not?" he said, adding "Hamas doesn’t care one second or iota for the welfare and well-being of the Palestinian people."

Blinken also said it was imperative for Israel, regional countries, the US and others to begin considering what the future of Gaza will look like if and when Hamas is destroyed. "There cannot and must not be a return to the pre-October 7 status quo," he said.

He said the idea of Hamas remaining responsible for the governance Gaza, thereby posing a continued threat to Israel, was "unacceptable." But he also said that Israel could not re-occupy Gaza. He also reiterated that the US would act to deter any other countries or groups, like Iran or Hezbollah, from joining the conflict.

"Within those parameters we will continue to have discussions in the region and our partners about what should follow once Hamas is defeated," Blinken said.

But the complexity of the situation — and of Blinken's push for Israel to consider a pause — was laid bare on Friday when Netanyahu, after leaving the meeting with the American official, ruled out the possibility of a ceasefire "that doesn't include a return of our hostages," referring to some 240 people Hamas abducted during its attack.



Egypt Welcomes Tehran’s Renaming of ‘Islamabouli Street’ as a Turning Point in Relations with Iran

Relations between Egypt and Iran saw a notable thaw following Araghchi’s visit to Cairo (Egyptian Presidency)
Relations between Egypt and Iran saw a notable thaw following Araghchi’s visit to Cairo (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egypt Welcomes Tehran’s Renaming of ‘Islamabouli Street’ as a Turning Point in Relations with Iran

Relations between Egypt and Iran saw a notable thaw following Araghchi’s visit to Cairo (Egyptian Presidency)
Relations between Egypt and Iran saw a notable thaw following Araghchi’s visit to Cairo (Egyptian Presidency)

Egypt has welcomed Iran’s decision to rename a Tehran street once dedicated to Khalid al-Islamabouli - the Egyptian army officer who assassinated President Anwar Sadat in 1981 - describing the move as a significant step toward resetting bilateral relations.

In the first official Egyptian response to the development, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Tamim Khallaf told Asharq Al-Awsat: “Renaming the street is a positive step in Egyptian-Iranian relations. It helps put matters back on the right track.”

The street, long a source of tension between Cairo and Tehran, has now been renamed after Hassan Nasrallah, the former Secretary-General of Lebanon’s Hezbollah, following a decision by the Tehran City Council.

Iranian media reported that a formal ceremony was held to unveil the new name, attended by officials, intellectuals, and civil society figures. The change was part of a wider initiative that saw 11 streets in the capital renamed last month.

Dr. Hoda Raouf, a Cairo-based expert on Iranian affairs, said the move reflects “a meaningful shift and a clear sign of Iran’s serious intent to restore relations with Egypt.”

She noted that Egyptian-Iranian ties have two key dimensions: regional security - particularly Egypt’s opposition to Iranian interference in countries such as Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen - and the bilateral relationship, which has long been strained over symbolic gestures such as honoring Sadat’s assassin.

Political philosopher and Iran specialist Dr. Mohamed Khairy echoed that assessment, calling the street name change “a significant development.”

He emphasized that the decision was passed by majority vote and attended by influential figures from Iran’s political establishment, which he said reflects a genuine desire within Iran to repair ties with Cairo.

The gesture comes amid signs of warming relations between the two nations. Iranian top diplomat Abbas Araghchi recently visited Cairo, where he met President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and senior officials.

His visit included a symbolic walk through the historic Khan el-Khalili bazaar, prayers at the Al-Hussein Mosque, and dinner at the famed Naguib Mahfouz restaurant.

Sisi also held a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the recent Israeli escalation against Iran, in which he affirmed Egypt’s rejection of Israeli attacks on Iranian territory.