Blinken reaffirms Washington’s opposition to any movement of Palestinians to Gaza

The United States remains opposed to any forced displacement of Palestinians against a backdrop of the threat of a major military offensive by Israel in Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip, Antony Blinken said Thursday, May 9 in a telephone call with his Egyptian counterpart.

The American Secretary of State reaffirmed the “President Joe Biden’s clear position that the United States does not support a major military operation in Rafah and the United States’ rejection of any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza”said its spokesperson, Matthew Miller, reporting on the call with Egyptian Minister Sameh Choukri.

The Israeli army bombarded the Gaza Strip on Thursday, at a time when the United States is threatening to stop arms deliveries to Israel in the event of a major offensive in the overpopulated town of Rafah, on the Egyptian border.

Mr. Blinken “also expressed the support of the United States for the reopening of the Rafah crossing point and the continuation of the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid”added Mr. Miller.

On Tuesday, the Israeli army deployed tanks into Rafah and took control of the border crossing with Egypt, blocking the main gateway for humanitarian aid convoys to the besieged Palestinian territory.

Mr. Blinken also thanked Egypt for its mediation in the talks for a ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas.

CIA Director William Burns, who was heavily involved in the talks, is returning to the United States on Friday, said a White House spokesperson, John Kirby. According to him, the parties “have not fulfilled” their differences, but the United States “don’t give up all hope” that the discussions lead to an agreement.