U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to Israel on Monday (October 16) for meetings after several days of shuttle diplomacy between Arab states, where he said he was to commited to ensuring Israel’s conflict with Palestinian militant group Hamas does not spillover elsewhere in the region.
Blinken was in Israel just days earlier on October 12, as it prepares a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a deadly Hamas attack on civilians – and has also been to Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Blinken said on on October 15 after visiting Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt that everyone is determined to stop a spill over of the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Addressing reporters at Cairo airport before departing, Blinken said “good ideas” were discussed, including ways to get assistance to Palestinians in Gaza who are in need.
Blinken reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself while insisting that it should be done in a way that avoids harming civilians.
(Inputs from Reuters)