Currently, the U.S plan for the ongoing war differs starkly from what its ally, Israel, intends to do in its assault on Gaza.
“This is a moment of profound tension in the region. This is a conflict that could easily metastasize, causing even more insecurity and even more suffering,” U.S Secretary of State, Antony Blinken told a news conference in Doha alongside Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, on Sunday night.
On Monday, Blinken said in Saudi Arabia that there’s a clear interest in the region in pursuing normalisation of relations with Israel “but it will require that the conflict end in Gaza and it will also clearly require that there be a practical pathway to a Palestinian state.”
The Secretary of state said that Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey “agreed to work together and to coordinate our efforts to help Gaza stabilise and recover, to chart a political path forward for the Palestinians and to work toward long-term peace, security and stability in the region as a whole.”
Blinken noted that he will try to convince the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to begin serious negotiations on postwar governance in Gaza.
“I will press on the absolute imperative to do more to protect civilians and to do more to make sure that humanitarian assistance is getting into the hands of those who need it,” Blinken said.
However, Israeli Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant announced on Monday that the war in Gaza would move away from the “intense manoeuvring phase of the war” toward “different types of special operations.”
Gallant told a news agency that the next phase will last for a “longer time.”
He stated, “We’re close to the next phase in the north, including Gaza City. … It will take some time, but we aren’t going to give up.”
Blinken is scheduled to meet top Israeli officials today, Tuesday, January 9, 2024, including Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, President Herzog, as well as Yoav Gallant, Benny Gantz and the Israeli war cabinet.
Blinken is also scheduled to hold a news conference after the meetings.
He arrived in Israel late on Monday after discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the city of Al-Ula.
Israeli officials, meanwhile, were reported as saying that they will tell Blinken that civilians in Gaza will not be allowed back to the north of the territory unless more of the hostages held by Hamas are released.
It remains to be seen if Blinken will succeed in convincing Israel to do U.S’ wish.
U.S Efforts Largely Ineffective So Far
Daniel Levy, an Analyst and President of the US/Middle East Project, opined that U.S efforts to influence Netanyahu had been broadly ineffectual so far.
“I think very early on Netanyahu felt he had the Americans where he wanted them and he hasn’t looked back since, and the Americans haven’t given him a reason to look back either,” Levy said.
He added, “It doesn’t mean there hasn’t been a bit of light turbulence … but the Americans have not been willing to do what it takes to move the dial at all.”
On the other hand, Sanam Vakil, Director of the Middle East and north Africa programme at Chatham House in London, said that urgent planning was needed to avoid a long-lasting simmering conflict that would be the most dangerous and least desirable outcome for the Israelis and their security, the Palestinians and the region.
“The region needs to have a plan, one that will endure. Currently it is a game of hot potato with everyone saying what they won’t do. It is a really time-sensitive moment and there needs to be real immediate planning,” Vakil said.
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