Blinken says Gaza conflict might spill over wider Middle East

Doha: The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that the conflict in Gaza could spill into more countries in the Middle East. At a news conference, also attended by Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdurahman Al Thani on Sunday, Blinken said that the conflict could easily metastasise and cause more insecurity and suffering, NDTV reported.

He, a leader of a nation that maintains its steady supply of aid as arms and others to Israel, which keeps bombarding Gaza, said that it is a moment of “profound tension” in the Middle East.

Blinken said that it is “imperative” that Israel must put a “premium on protecting civilians”. Its operations must be designed to protect civilians and must allow humanitarian assistance for the needy.

He said that civilians must be able to return home “as conditions allow”, while Gaza witnessed massive bombardment in some regions and massive civilian displacement. Palestinians are cramming into the southern regions of Gaza.

When two Israeli ministers suggested encouraging locals to emigrate, Blinken said that civilians must not be pressed to leave Gaza.

Further, he reacted to the deaths of two Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza that it was an “unimaginable tragedy”. He added that the same has been the case for many “innocent Palestinian men, women and children”.

Blinken reached Qatar after visiting Jordan, Turkey and Greece. He is yet to land in Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in the desert city of Al-Ula.

Meanwhile, the political bureau chief of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, urged Blinken to focus on putting an end to the aggression and the occupation of all Palestinian territories. He further called on officials from Arab and Islamic countries, whom Blinken is set to meet during his tour, to highlight the interconnectedness of the Palestinian cause with the future and stability of the region.