Kuwait and Bahrain FMs talk about Palestinian violence

RIYADH: President Joe Biden met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, urging the leaders to allow humanitarian aid to the region and strengthening efforts to protect civilians. Confirmed support.

A phone call in Washington over the weekend came as the US announced that it was building up its second carrier strike group to support Israel, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the It comes amid increased diplomatic outreach across the Middle East and beyond to rally a response. From the escalation of the Hamas war.
Mr. Blinken met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh and then stopped in the United Arab Emirates to help civilians caught between the fighting and explore ways to address the growing humanitarian crisis. He also called on his Chinese counterpart as Palestinians struggle to evacuate the Gaza Strip, targeted by Israeli forces, ahead of an expected ground offensive.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yov Gallant on Saturday, stressing the importance of protecting civilians. According to a reading from the conference call, Austin provided an update on U.S. efforts to strengthen the Israeli military’s air defense capabilities and munitions, noting that they are aimed at preventing an escalation of the war.
The Biden administration is sending the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean to support Israel, two U.S. defense officials told AP on condition of anonymity to discuss the move ahead of the announcement. told the news agency.
The Eisenhower will join the carrier Strike Group Gerald R. Ford, which is already sailing near Israel, and will strengthen the U.S. presence in Israel, along with a number of destroyers, fighters and cruisers.

The broader U.S. effort comes as Israel tells Gaza residents to move south and Hamas urges people to stay home, putting many civilians at risk and the potential for a long war. reflects international concerns about the impact of The Biden administration has not publicly called on Israel to restrain its response after the Hamas attack a week ago, but it has emphasized Israel’s determination to follow the rules of war.
Mr. Biden has spoken with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu multiple times since the Hamas attack, but Saturday’s call with Mr. Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority, which controls the West Bank, was his first. According to a reading of the call, Abbas briefed the president on efforts to bring aid to Palestinians, particularly in the Gaza Strip.

Abbas’ office said in a statement that the Palestinian leader told Biden he completely refuses to evict Palestinians from Gaza as Israel retaliates for deadly Hamas attacks on its territory. .

According to the statement, Mr. Biden reiterated to Mr. Abbas that “Hamas does not uphold the dignity and right to self-determination of the Palestinian people.”
According to a statement, Mr. Biden met with Prime Minister Netanyahu and “reiterated the United States’ unwavering support for Israel.” He briefed Israeli leaders on regional efforts to ensure civilians’ access to food, water and medical care.
The number of Americans killed rose to 29, with 15 still missing and one lawful permanent resident, U.S. officials said Saturday.
Addressing an Arab audience from his home base during a visit with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Blinken also addressed the need for humanitarian aid and safe passage for people wishing to leave Gaza. , organizers made this issue a top priority. Concerns.
A ground attack by Israel would further exacerbate the plight of Gaza’s civilians, who lack electricity, fresh water and aid. Egyptian authorities announced that the southern Rafah crossing would open late Saturday for the first time in several days to allow foreigners into the country. Israel advised all Palestinian civilians to evacuate south to avoid continued Israeli attacks on Hamas militants in Gaza City.

Mr. Blinken also called Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, asking for his country’s help in preventing further war and urging Beijing to use all its influence in the Middle East. A spokesman for Mr. Blinken declined to characterize Mr. Wang’s response, but said the United States believes it has common interests with China on regional stability.
In Riyadh, Prince Blinken and Prince Faisal stressed the importance of minimizing harm to civilians as Israel prepares for an expected Hamas invasion one week after the insurgents’ unprecedented attack on Israel.
“As Israel seeks to protect its people and pursue its legitimate rights to ensure that something like this never happens again, it is critical that we all look out for civilians, and we will work together to do just that,” Blinken said. “I am doing so,” he said. .
“No one wants to see civilians suffer on either side, whether it’s in Israel or Gaza or anywhere else,” Blinken said.
The Saudi minister said the kingdom is committed to protecting civilians.
“It’s an alarming situation,” he said. “It’s a very difficult situation. And, as you know, the main victims in this situation are civilians, civilians on both sides are affected, and no one is targeting civilians at any time, in any way.” I think it’s important that we all condemn that.”
U.S. officials said Saturday that the U.S. government has not asked Israel to delay or postpone its evacuation plans. The official said discussions with Israeli leaders emphasized the importance of considering the safety of civilians as the Israeli military moves to enforce evacuation requests.
The official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the private discussions and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Israeli leaders recognized the guidelines and had taken them under their advice.
The United States has finalized a deal that would allow Americans and other foreign nationals in the Gaza Strip to cross the Rafah border into Egypt, but the border remained closed Saturday with no sign that the people who had gathered would be able to cross. An estimated 500 Americans live in Gaza, but officials said that number is inaccurate.
The U.S. State Department on Saturday authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government officials and their families from the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and offices in Tel Aviv.
Prince Faisal said it was essential to end the violence between Israel and Hamas.
“We need to work together to find a way out of this cycle of violence,” he said. “Without a concerted effort to end this constant relapse into violence, it will always be civilians on both sides who will suffer first and who will ultimately pay the price. ”
While in Abu Dhabi, Blinken visited the Abraham Family House. The facility is a complex of churches, mosques, and synagogues representing the three Abrahamic faiths. He signed a tile with the words “Light in the Darkness.”
Blinken returned to Saudi Arabia and was scheduled to stop in Egypt on Sunday. He has already visited Israel, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain.