Blinken urges Netanyahu to ‘capitalize’ on death of Sinwar to secure long-term peace

JERUSALEM/WASHIGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said there was a need for a security and political change in Lebanon that would allow displaced Israelis to return safely to their homes.

Netanyahu met with Blinken for 2-1/2 hours on Tuesday and the meeting was friendly and productive, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.

Netanyahu also said Israel was working hard to bring back hostages still held in Gaza and that the elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar “may have a positive effect on the return of the hostages, the achievement of all the goals of the war, and the day after the war”.

According to a State Department statement released Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel to “capitalize” on the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to secure long-term safety for Israelis and Palestinians.

“The Secretary underscored the need to capitalize on Israel’s successful action to bring Yahya Sinwar to justice by securing the release of all hostages and ending the conflict in Gaza in a way that provides lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

“He discussed the importance of charting a new path forward in the post-conflict period that allows Palestinians to rebuild their lives and provides governance, security, and reconstruction for Gaza,” he said.

Miller also said Blinken stressed the need for Israel to take further steps to increase and sustain the flow of humanitarian assistance into the Gaza Strip and ensure assistance reaches civilians throughout the enclave.

The two men also discussed Lebanon and efforts to reach a diplomatic resolution along the Israel-Lebanon border, or Blue Line, that includes full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and allowing civilians on both sides of the border to return to their homes.

“They discussed the need to deter further regional aggression from Iran and its proxies, including ongoing efforts by the United States and its partners. The Secretary reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security,” said the statement.