US Sec. of State Antony J. Blinken meets with MK Benny Gantz, Yesh Atid Chair Yair Lapid in Israel

The State Department announced in separate statements that US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with MK and National Unity Chair Benny Gantz and Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid in Israel on Tuesday. 

Blinken and Gantz discussed the proposal to achieve a hostage deal as part of a ceasefire in Gaza that would secure the release of all hostages and increase humanitarian aid throughout the territory.  

Blinken commended Israel for the proposal and emphasized Hamas should take the deal without delay.

He reiterated that in addition to reuniting hostages with their loved ones, the proposal would advance Israel’s long-term security interests and suggested it would create the possibility of restoring calm along Israel’s border with Lebanon to allow Israelis to return to their homes.

Gantz also commented on the meeting with Blinken on X, formerly Twitter, and said that in the meeting, he "reiterated the imperative of particularly during these times applying maximum pressure on the negotiators to secure Hamas’ agreement to the arrangement to bring the hostages home."

I met today with US Secretary of State @SecBlinken. I reiterated the imperative of particularly during these times applying maximum pressure on the negotiators to secure Hamas’ agreement to the arrangement to bring the hostages home. I added that the party will support any… pic.twitter.com/IuDSvvplql

— בני גנץ - Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) June 11, 2024

The MK said that he would support any "responsible" plan that "would lead to the return of the hostages, even outside the government."

Referring to the conflict along the border with Lebanon in northern Israel, Gantz said, "I emphasized that the United States together with the international community have an important role to play in removing the threat posed by Hezbollah on Israel’s northern border. I stressed further that if the world cannot do so - Israel will not hesitate to act forcefully to protect the citizens of Northern Israel and enable their safe return home."

In their meeting, Blinken and Lapid also discussed the proposed deal, and Blinken emphasized the importance of preventing further escalation of the conflict. 

On X, Lapid stated after his meeting with Blinken, "We need to make a deal. Until everyone returns, we will not know rest, this country will not sleep and will not be quiet. None of us will sleep or be quiet and we will not stop until there is a deal." 

Blinken meets with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa 

In a meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa in Jordan on Tuesday, Blinken welcomed reform announcements, Reuters reported, citing the State Department.

"Secretary Blinken welcomed reform announcements by the Palestinian Authority and discussed with Prime Minister Mustafa the need for full and consistent implementation of those reforms to achieve the aspirations of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza," the statement read.

"He reaffirmed the United States’ support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel," it added.