Blinken and Lammy support Israel's security and ceasefire in Gaza Strip
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy (photo: Getty Images)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy have reaffirmed their commitment to the security of Israel and to achieving a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, according to a joint statement from the diplomats.
During the dialogue, Blinken and Lammy emphasized their support for Israel's security and the importance of avoiding any escalation in the region that could undermine the prospects for peace and progress toward a two-state solution.
The statement also noted that the diplomats discussed the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and urged all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, and Israel to facilitate the delivery of aid. They also welcomed the current polio vaccination campaign, the first phase of which has been deemed successful by the World Health Organization.
Lemming expressed the UK's clear support for the mediation efforts of the US, Egypt, and Qatar aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and securing the release of hostages.
Additionally, Blinken and Lemming addressed the threat posed by Iran and Russia to the West following Moscow's acquisition of Iranian ballistic missiles for use in the war against Ukraine.
In light of the situation, the diplomats highlighted the instability that Iran brings to the Middle East through the proliferation of advanced weapons and the provision of financial and political support to its partners, including Lebanese Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and other groups in Iraq and Syria.
Two-state solution
Palestine is an independent and partially recognized state, with its independence acknowledged by 138 out of 193 UN member states. Today, the territory of the state is divided into the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
On November 29, 1947, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution to establish Arab and Jewish states in Palestine. However, peaceful coexistence did not materialize, and a war broke out between Palestine and Israel, which continues to this day.
Currently, the main parties to the conflict are Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. The latest escalation of hostilities began in October 2023, when terrorists attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a large-scale operation against the Islamist group, which is ongoing.
Peace negotiations for the Gaza Strip
In May, US President Joe Biden proposed a three-point agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages to end the war in the Gaza Strip. However, Israel and Hamas have yet to finalize the agreement, despite the mediation efforts of the US, Egypt, and Qatar.
Recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu advocated for the Israeli military to maintain indefinite control over the Philadelphi Corridor. Hamas, however, has rejected this demand.
During the presidential debates, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris supported the creation of both an Arab and a Jewish state within Palestinian territories.
