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Blinken, Abbas Hold 'Tense' Meeting in Ramallah

Riot police in front of demonstrators in Ramallah protesting the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday (Reuters)
Riot police in front of demonstrators in Ramallah protesting the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday (Reuters)
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Blinken, Abbas Hold 'Tense' Meeting in Ramallah

Riot police in front of demonstrators in Ramallah protesting the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday (Reuters)
Riot police in front of demonstrators in Ramallah protesting the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday (Reuters)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during their meeting in Ramallah that the Washington supports "tangible measures" for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Blinked stressed that the Palestinian Authority (PA) needs to make reforms in governmental and security structures for effective governance in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the future.

Palestinian sources confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Blinken focused on reforms but was met with a barrage of difficult questions.

The Palestinian side was adamant about addressing the war in Gaza, Washington's role in stopping it, post-war plans, Gaza governance, ongoing conflicts in the West Bank, settler violence, Israeli plans to displace the Palestinians, and the fate of PA frozen funds in Tel Aviv.

According to the sources, Blinken was questioned about the funds held by Israel and how Washington could enforce its vision on more challenging issues if it couldn't secure the release of those funds, which caused tension in the meeting because it reflected Palestinian officials' skepticism about Washington's ability to implement its stated goals in the future

The relationship between the PA and the US administration became tense because of Washington's position on the war, disagreements about reform, and dealing with post-war phase.

Abbas stressed the need to immediately stop the genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, so that a political solution based on international legitimacy could be implemented, starting with the State of Palestine gaining full UN membership.

He also called for an international peace conference to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, which achieves peace and security for all.

The Palestinian President warned of the Israeli measures aimed at displacing Palestinian people from the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, including Jerusalem, following statements issued by Israeli ministers and officials, which call for the expulsion of the Palestinian people from their land.

He stressed the complete rejection of the displacement of any Palestinian citizen, whether in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, adding that "we will not allow it to happen."

Abbas reiterated that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the Palestinian state, noting that it is not possible to accept or deal with the plans of the occupation authorities to separate it or cut off any part of it.

Palestinian funds must be released immediately, because their withholding violates agreements and international law, noted the President.

In return, Blinken tried to explain the US plan based on launching a post-war political path, aiming to establish a Palestinian state and normalization with more Arab countries.

He informed Abbas that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged that there would be no displacement of Gazans while discussions continued regarding the day after the war with the Israelis and regional leaders.

The Secretary indicated Washington ultimately wanted a "qualified Palestinian authority" to rule the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

- Arab Peace Initiative

The US is said to be floating the Arab Peace Initiative that Saudi Arabia sponsored more than 20 years ago as a possible framework to end the war against Hamas in Gaza.

Israeli Channel 12 reported, citing a source, that Washington is floating the Arab Peace Initiative that Saudi Arabia sponsored more than 20 years ago as a possible framework to end the war against Hamas in Gaza.

The 2002 initiative offers Israel normalized ties with the entire Arab world once it reaches a two-state solution to its conflict with the Palestinians.

The report stated that the Biden administration says such an agreement would be in the interests of the United States, Israel, and the region's countries.

Blinken told the Israelis that they must move towards a diplomatic horizon and that images and footage of the war in Gaza are leading to "radicalization" in Mideast countries.

He asked Israeli officials to stop harming civilians and move entirely to the third stage, release the Palestinians' money, and develop a plan for the day after the war.

Israel has refused to hand over the Gaza Strip to the Authority so far and is seeking to form local bodies to manage civil affairs while retaining security responsibility.

In Tel Aviv, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Blinken that Israel will always act according to the Israeli interest.

"Therefore we will continue to fight with all our strength to destroy Hamas," Smotrich stated.

- Smotrich Challenges Washington

Smotrich rejected calls to release withheld tax revenues and frozen funds to transfer money to the Palestinian Authority.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said that Smotrich's rejection of the US request is a blatant challenge to the administration to translate its positions into tangible actions.

The Ministry said in a statement that the extremist Smotrich brags about supporting settlement and the terrorism and crimes of the settlers.

It said the Israeli far-right minister does not recognize the rights of Palestinians and steals their lands, describing him as a staunch enemy of peace.

The Ministry wondered if Washington would be able to force Israel to protect civilians and revive the peace process if it can't force Tel Aviv to release the Palestinian-frozen funds.

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US Delegation Inspects Destroyed Hezbollah Site in South Lebanon

A Lebanese Army soldier escorts a military bulldozer clearing roads in southern Lebanon (Directorate of Guidance). 
A Lebanese Army soldier escorts a military bulldozer clearing roads in southern Lebanon (Directorate of Guidance). 
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US Delegation Inspects Destroyed Hezbollah Site in South Lebanon

A Lebanese Army soldier escorts a military bulldozer clearing roads in southern Lebanon (Directorate of Guidance). 
A Lebanese Army soldier escorts a military bulldozer clearing roads in southern Lebanon (Directorate of Guidance). 

A US delegation, accompanied by a large Lebanese Army force, inspected a former Hezbollah military site previously bombed by Israel in the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif, located on the northern bank of the Litani River.

This visit coincided with a field patrol by a French unit from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the Wadi al-Hujayr area, and came as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged the UNIFIL commander that the “continued Israeli occupation of the five hills must end as soon as possible.”

Aoun informed UNIFIL Force Commander General Aroldo Lazaro—during a meeting at Baabda Palace with a UNIFIL delegation—that the Lebanese Army “continues to deploy in the southern villages and towns vacated by Israel, working to clear them of landmines and eliminate all armed presences, despite the vast and rugged nature of the southern terrain, which makes the task time-consuming.”

Aoun emphasized that the “continued Israeli occupation of the five hills must end promptly to ensure stability and security along the southern border, paving the way for the return of displaced residents.”

He also stated that the recruitment process for 4,500 soldiers, as approved by the Cabinet, is ongoing.

“These troops, along with the existing forces, will help establish security in the South and implement Resolution 1701 in cooperation with UNIFIL, whose efforts in coordination with the army we highly value,” according to a statement from the Lebanese Presidency.

Lazaro, for his part, discussed the outcomes of his recent meetings at the UN Security Council, particularly Lebanon’s request to renew UNIFIL’s mandate. He confirmed “the high level of coordination with the Lebanese Army deployed in the South, which is fully carrying out its responsibilities with the support and coordination of UNIFIL.”

On the political front, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reaffirmed the Lebanese government’s commitment to security, stability, and extending sovereignty over all Lebanese territory, noting that this sovereign stance protects Lebanon and its people and opens the door to recovery on various fronts.

On the ground, local media reported that the US delegation toured the Dabsh area in Yohmor al-Shaqif, where previous Israeli airstrikes had destroyed a Hezbollah military site. The site was reportedly used by Hezbollah as a “monitoring point.”

This visit carries significant field and political implications, as Yohmor is a strategically vital town in southern Lebanon due to its elevation on the north bank of the Litani River and its view over northern Israel. While it lies north of the Litani, Israel includes it within the zone it believes should fall under the same restrictions as the area south of the river.

According to the Central News Agency, the US delegation spent more than half an hour in the area, moving in a convoy of SUVs accompanied by Lebanese Army vehicles, before leaving as part of a broader tour of several points in the South.

The US team also visited Wadi al-Hujayr, accompanied by Lebanese Army personnel. In parallel, a French UNIFIL unit conducted search patrols in the wooded areas of the valley, looking for potential Hezbollah installations. This valley is considered one of the South’s most strategic locations and has frequently been used by Hezbollah for surveillance and storage. The patrols reflect the scope of international coordination and the strict monitoring of the ceasefire terms.

According to available information, Hezbollah has so far handed over around 190 of its 265 military sites located south of the Litani. Other reports suggest the group has dismantled more than 500 military positions.

Israeli media has also noted these developments. The newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth quoted an Israeli military official as saying: “The situation continues to evolve, and we must work constantly to prevent Hezbollah’s return.” He added that the Lebanese Army is taking action against the group beyond what was expected before the ceasefire. The paper noted that while Israel still has the desire to intervene, “the situation in Lebanon is no longer what it used to be.”

Ongoing Israeli Violations

Despite these developments, Israeli violations in the South continue. Artillery shelling was reported in the Suddaneh area near the town of Shebaa, along with bulldozing activity near the edge of Adaisseh. Israeli drones were also seen flying intensively over the Bekaa Valley and western sectors.