US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has embarked on a week-long Middle East tour starting in Istanbul, with the goal of easing tensions that escalated during Israel’s war on Gaza in October.
During his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Blinken emphasized the importance of preventing the conflict from spreading, securing the release of hostages, expanding humanitarian assistance, and reducing civilian casualties.
He also highlighted the need for broader, lasting regional peace, ensuring Israel’s security, and advancing the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Despite Erdogan’s previous decision to skip a meeting with Blinken over US support for Israel’s actions, the two leaders discussed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza in their recent meeting.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan joined the discussions, underscoring the threat posed by Israel’s escalating aggression and emphasizing the necessity of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The ministers also addressed Ankara’s process to ratify Sweden’s NATO membership.
Blinken’s upcoming stops include Greece, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, Israel, and the occupied West Bank. His trip focuses on three main messages: de-escalation of the conflict, addressing the humanitarian crisis, and planning for post-war governance in Gaza.
Washington aims to involve regional countries, including Turkey, in the reconstruction, governance, and potential security arrangements in Gaza. The US officials anticipate Ankara’s approval of Sweden’s NATO accession soon, following Turkish parliamentary backing last month.
