Blinken returns to Israel for more tough conversations with Netanyahu
From CNN's Jennifer Hansler
He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli war cabinet.
His trip coincides with the resumption of talks in Doha aimed at securing a deal for a ceasefire tied to the release of the hostages held by Hamas.
It also coincides with a vote at the UN on a US-sponsored Security Council resolution calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Gaza conflict.
Blinken’s meetings are expected to be tense, with Netanyahu vowing to carry out an Israeli military incursion into Rafah, where more than a million people have been forced to flee.
“Our position, which is very clear, is that a major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we don’t support,” Blinken said Thursday.
The top US diplomat is again expected to press Israel on the urgent need for more humanitarian assistance to reach people in Gaza.
“Israel needs to do more,” he said Thursday.
“We’ve seen some improvement over the last couple of weeks in getting humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, but it’s not enough,” he said.
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