Axios: The condition that Israel will convey to Blinken for the return of the Palestinians to northern Gaza
The Axios website revealed information about US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s expected meeting with Israeli officials during his visit to Tel Aviv.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived on Monday evening in Tel Aviv, where the next day he will hold discussions that are expected to be difficult with the Israeli authorities, while stressing the necessity of reducing Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza.
According to Axios, the Israeli officials who will meet Blinken on Tuesday will inform him that Israel won’t allow the Palestinians to return to northern Gaza if Hamas doesn’t agree to release more hostages.
The Axios website quoted Israeli officials as saying that while Israel isn’t opposed in principle to allowing the Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, the officials will tell Blinken that such a step must be part of a new hostage deal.
Axios website explained that an Israeli official said that the negotiators believe that the return of the Palestinians to northern Gaza represents a major means of pressure, which Israel doesn’t want to give up while it’s trying to secure a new hostage deal.
On Tuesday, Blinken is expected to hold a series of meetings with Israeli officials, from the Head of State to Foreign Minister Israel Katz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and Minister Gantz, and he will also hold a meeting with the Israeli Military Council.
