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[1/2] Israeli soldiers stand in order, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, near Israel's border with Gaza, in southern Israel, December 4, 2023. The U.S. official spoke after three days of resumed aerial bombardments of southern Gaza left residents pulling the bodies of children and adults from the rubble. But the U.S. official said reducing military support to Israel would carry major risks. On Friday, Israel's military began posting grid-based maps online ordering Palestinians to leave parts of southern Gaza, directing them towards the Mediterranean coast and Rafah, near the Egyptian border. Residents and journalists on the ground said intense Israeli airstrikes hit southern Gaza on Monday, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians.

Persons: Amir Cohen, Israel's, Biden, Kamala Harris, Antony Blinken, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ophir Falk, Seth Binder, Binder, Eylon Levy, Jake Sullivan, Omar Shakir, Humeyra Pamuk, Jonathan Saul, Maggie Fick, James Mackenzie, Steve Holland, Don Durfee, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, U.S, Health Ministry, Washington, United, Reuters, Reuters Graphics, East Democracy, Biden, Democratic, Israel, . National, Palestine, Human Rights, Amnesty, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Israel's, Gaza, LONDON, BEIRUT, U.S, United States, East, Gaza City, Rafah, Jerusalem, Washington

☆ U.S. to impose visa bans soon on Israeli extremist settlers for West Bank violence
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | Thomson Reuters | Humeyra Pamuk Is A Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent Based In Washington Dc. She Covers The U.S. State Department | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDUBAI, Dec 1 (Reuters) - The Biden administration has informed Israel that Washington will impose visa bans in the next few weeks on Israeli extremist settlers engaged in violence against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank, a senior State Department official said. The West Bank, among the territories where Palestinians seek statehood, has experienced a surge of violence in recent months amid expanding Jewish settlements and a nearly decade-old impasse in U.S.-sponsored peacemaking. The United States has repeatedly expressed its concern over the rising violence in the West Bank, saying it must stop. "I have been emphatic with Israel’s leaders that extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank must stop and that those committing the violence must be held accountable. The United States is prepared to take our own steps, including issuing visa bans against extremists attacking civilians in the West Bank," Biden wrote.

Persons: Joe Biden, Eisenhower, Evelyn Hockstein, Biden, Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel hurtled, Eylon Levy, Israel, Washington, Humeyra Pamuk, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, West Bank, State Department, Israeli, The West Bank, United, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Israel, Washington, United States, Gaza, U.S, Israel's

Media affiliated to Hamas said explosions and gunfire could be head in the northern part of the Gaza Strip ahead of the truce deadline. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report and there was no immediate comment from Israel or Hamas. Mark Regev, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel was open to continuing the ceasefire if Hamas committed to further hostage releases. Israel had previously set the release of 10 hostages a day as the minimum it would accept to pause its assault. [1/5]A helicopter carrying hostages released amid a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel arrives at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv district, Israel, December 1, 2023.

Persons: Israel's Kan, Israel, Mark Regev, Benjamin Netanyahu, we're, Athit, Qatar's, Abdullah Al Sulaiti, I've, Mia Schem, Schem, Aisha al, BLINKEN, Jordan's King Abdullah, U.N, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Netanyahu, Nidal al, Mohammed Salem, Humeyra Pamuk, Ari Rabinovich, Emily Rose, Andrew Mills, Cynthia Osterman, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Gaza Hamas, Hamas, Media, Street, CNN, United Nations, Sheba Medical, REUTERS, Reuters, Palestinian Red Crescent Society, U.S, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, Gaza GAZA, TEL AVIV, Qatari, Palestinian, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv district, ISRAEL, Amman, United States, Tel Aviv, Cairo, Jerusalem, Doha

☆ US top diplomat Blinken visits Israel to discuss Gaza truce, aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | Thomson Reuters | Humeyra Pamuk Is A Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent Based In Washington Dc. She Covers The U.S. State Department | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] US Secretary of State Antony Blinken disembarks from his airplane upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, on November 30, 2023. Washington's top diplomat is also expected to discuss Israel's looming offensive into southern Gaza. Israel has sworn to annihilate Hamas, which rules Gaza. On Wednesday, 16 more hostages were released by Hamas on the final day of a two-day truce extension. Following Israel, Blinken will visit the United Arab Emirates to attend a regional meeting and attend the U.N. COP28 climate summit.

Persons: Antony Blinken disembarks, SAUL LOEB, Antony Blinken, Mahmoud Abbas, Washington's, Israel, we’ll, Blinken, Humeyra Pamuk, Ali Sawafta, Rami Ayyub, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Ben Gurion, REUTERS Acquire, West Bank, U.S, Israel, Health, United, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, TEL AVIV, Gaza, The U.S, Brussels, U.S, United Arab Emirates, Ramallah

☆ Blinken says truce between Israel, Hamas is producing results
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | Thomson Reuters | Humeyra Pamuk Is A Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent Based In Washington Dc. She Covers The U.S. State Department | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] US Secretary of State Antony Blinken disembarks from his airplane upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, on November 30, 2023. SAUL LOEB/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsTEL AVIV, Nov 30 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said a temporary truce between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas had produced results and the United States hoped it would continue. The truce has brought the first respite to Gaza in seven weeks during which Israel bombed the territory heavily in response to the Oct. 7 rampage. "I look forward to detailed conversations with the government of Israel about the way ahead in Gaza," Blinken said. Israel has sworn to annihilate Hamas, which rules Gaza.

Persons: Antony Blinken disembarks, SAUL LOEB, Antony Blinken, Isaac Herzog, Blinken, Washington, Israel, Herzog, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yair Lapid, Yoav Gallant, Benny Gantz, Mahmoud Abbas, Washington's, Humeyra Pamuk, Ali Sawafta, Howard Goller Organizations: Ben Gurion, REUTERS Acquire, Hamas, U.S, Israel, West Bank, Health, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, TEL AVIV, Palestinian, United States, Gaza, Jerusalem, The U.S, Ramallah

☆ Blinken to visit Israel, West Bank, UAE this week to continue Gaza diplomacy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | Thomson Reuters | Humeyra Pamuk Is A Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent Based In Washington Dc. She Covers The U.S. State Department | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Blinken will travel to Belgium, North Macedonia, Israel, the West Bank, and the UAE from Monday to Saturday, the department said in a statement. Blinken will discuss what Washington wants to see in Gaza if Israel is able to eliminate Hamas, a State Department official said earlier. Blinken will also discuss the need for an independent Palestinian state as well as attend the UN COP28 climate summit in Dubai, according to the State Department. Some hostages have been freed in recent days in exchange for Palestinians held by Israel in a deal mediated by Qatar and Egypt and agreed by Israel, Hamas and the United States. The top U.S. diplomat "will also discuss the principles he outlined in Tokyo on November 8, (and) tangible steps to further the creation of a future Palestinian state," the State Department said.

Persons: Antony Blinken disembarks, SAUL LOEB, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, Kanishka Singh, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Brussels, NATO, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, West Bank, United, U.S . State Department, UAE, State Department, Hamas, Organization for Security, Cooperation, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Rights BRUSSELS, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Washington, Gaza, North Macedonia, Dubai, Qatar, Egypt, United States, Japan, Tokyo, Europe, Skopje

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the weekend that the PA in its current form should not take charge of Gaza. In the wake of Netanyahu's comments, Israeli officials have insisted that Israel does not intend to occupy the Gaza Strip. Dahlan has the backing of the influential United Arab Emirates to lead a post-war administration in Gaza, according to diplomats and Arab officials. So far, the U.S. and its allies have not seen any clear roadmap from Israel for its exit strategy from Gaza beyond the declared aim of eradicating Hamas, diplomats say. Not since the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 has there been such widespread concern about military action raging across the Middle East, according to Arab officials and diplomats.

Persons: Israel tightens, Gaza's, Mahmoud Abbas, Fatah, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mohammed Dahlan, Israel, Dahlan, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Gaza –, –, Abu Mohammad, We're, Biden, Jonathan Panikoff, government's, Biden's, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Abbas –, Abbas, Mohammad Shtayyeh, Abu Dhabi, Marwan Barghouti, Washington, Joost R, John Kirby, Nidal al, Humeyra Pamuk, Matt Spetalnick, Andrew Mills, James Mackenzie, Crispian Balmer, John Irish, Aidan Lewis, Alexander Cornwell, Samia Nakhoul, Daniel Flynn Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, REUTERS, Authority, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, United, Israel, U.S, policymaking, Reuters, Atlantic Council, Gaza, Western, Israel ., UAE, North Africa, Crisis, House, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Gaza Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestinian, U.S, United States, Washington, Hamas, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, America, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Tokyo, Oslo, European, technocrats, United Nations, Middle East, Iran, GAZA, Doha, Jerusalem, Paris, Cairo, Dubai

☆ Facing State Dept dissent over Gaza, Blinken tells staff: We're listening
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | Thomson Reuters | Humeyra Pamuk Is A Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent Based In Washington Dc. She Covers The U.S. State Department | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to the media after participating in the so-called "2+2 Dialogue" in New Delhi, India, November 10, 2023. "I know that for many of you, the suffering caused by this crisis is taking a profound personal toll," Blinken said in the letter obtained by Reuters. "The anguish that comes with seeing the daily images of babies, children, elderly people, women, and other civilians suffering in this crisis is wrenching. While some sources say there has been "deep frustration" among members of working level staff at the State Department, several U.S. officials say, while the Department leadership welcomes a diverse set of voices, it is unlikely to profoundly change Biden's policy. It doesn’t mean that we’re going to change our policy based on their disagreements," Miller said.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jonathan Ernst, Joe Biden's, Blinken, I’ve, HuffPost, Matthew Miller, Miller, Humeyra Pamuk, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, State Department, Biden, Israel, Hamas, Reuters, Department, Capitol, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, Israel, U.S, Gaza, Vietnam, Washington, East, Asia, United States

WASHINGTON, Nov 14 (Reuters) - The United States would like to see an evacuation of patients at Gaza hospitals to get them out of harm's way and will support an independent third party to conduct those evacuations, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday. "We want there to be safe evacuation for patients in hospitals so they can get out of harm's way. We would support an independent third party, a respected third party to conduct those evacuations," Miller said. The question is will Hamas allow patients to be evacuated from hospitals or will they continue to use them as human shields?," Miller added. Israeli forces have surrounded Gaza City's Al Shifa hospital, which they say sits atop an underground headquarters of Hamas militants.

Persons: Matthew Miller, Miller, Washington, Israel, Al Shifa, Gaza's, Simon Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk, Franklin Paul, Bill Berkrot Organizations: . State Department, Thomson Locations: United States, Gaza, U.S, Israel

WASHINGTON, Nov 14 (Reuters) - The United States has issued a new 120-day waiver allowing Iraq to pay Iran for electricity, U.S. officials said on Tuesday, stressing Tehran could only use the funds for humanitarian trade and seeking to blunt criticism of giving Iran the money. The move may also be controversial because Washington has asked Baghdad to curtail attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq by Iranian-allied militias, with mixed results. One U.S. official described the U.S. requests to Iraq as "a work in progress." U.S. and coalition troops have been attacked at least 55 times in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 17, injuring 59 personnel, though all have returned to duty. Reporting By Simon Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk in Washington; Writing by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Grant McCool and Lincoln Feast.

Persons: parry, it's, Richard Goldberg, Trump, Simon Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk, Arshad Mohammed, Grant McCool, Lincoln Organizations: United, Republicans, Congress, U.S . U.S, U.S, Washington, Pentagon, Foundation for Defense, Democracies, Thomson Locations: United States, Iraq, Iran, Tehran, U.S, Baghdad, Iranian, Israel, Gaza, Syria, Washington

Palestinians fleeing north Gaza move southward as Israeli tanks roll deeper into the enclave, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip November 10, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - More than 1,000 officials in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have signed an open letter urging the Biden administration to call for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas, according to a copy of the letter seen by Reuters. The letter, published on Nov. 2, had now garnered 1,029 signatures from staff of the U.S. aid agency. Signatories names are hidden but the letter shows it was signed by officials in many of the agency's bureaus in Washington as well as officials posted around the world. The State Department does not confirm the existence of dissent cables.

Persons: Abu Mustafa, Biden, Joe Biden's, Antony Blinken, Vedant Patel, Patel, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Agency for International Development, USAID, Reuters, Israel, Department, State, The State Department, Deputy State, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Washington, United States, U.S

☆ Blinken says 'far too many' Palestinians killed as Israel battles Hamas in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | Thomson Reuters | Humeyra Pamuk Is A Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent Based In Washington Dc. She Covers The U.S. State Department | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to the media after participating in the so-called "2+2 Dialogue" in New Delhi, India, November 10, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/Pool Acquire Licensing RightsNov 10 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday denounced the soaring number of Palestinians killed as Israel pushed ahead with its war against Hamas in Gaza, saying more needs to be done to protect the civilians. In his strongest comments to date on civilians bearing the brunt of the war, Blinken welcomed the four-hour humanitarian Israeli pauses the White House announced on Thursday but said further action was required to protect Gaza's civilians. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi as he wrapped up a nine-day trip to the Middle East and Asia, he said: "Far too many Palestinians have been killed; far too many have suffered these past weeks. Palestinian officials say more than 10,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its military campaign, and Gaza's hospitals are struggling to cope, with medical supplies, clean water and fuel to power generators running out.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jonathan Ernst, Blinken, Israel, it’s, Humeyra Pamuk, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, Israel, Gaza, East, Asia, Washington, United States

[1/5] An Israeli soldier operates amid the ongoing ground invasion against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip, November 8, 2023. Hamas' armed wing on Wednesday released a video that appeared to show intense street battles alongside bombed out buildings in Gaza City. Israeli tanks have met heavy resistance from Hamas fighters using underground tunnels to stage ambushes, according to sources with Iran-backed Hamas and the separate Islamic Jihad militant group. ISRAEL BOMBS TUNNELSChief Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said on Wednesday that "Hamas has lost control in the north" of Gaza. The Israeli military has repeatedly told residents to evacuate the north or risk being trapped in the violence.

Persons: Ronen, Israel, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Khalil al, Saleh al, Daniel Hagari, Colonel Ido, Hagari, U.N, Nidal al, Angel, Emily Rose, Maayan, Rami Amichay, Matt Spetalnick, Humeyra Pamuk, Cynthia Osterman, Michael Perry Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, REUTERS, West Bank, Jihad, Palestinian Authority, Israel's, ABC News, New York Times, Israel, Reuters, Wednesday, Journalists, 401st Brigade, Thomson Locations: Israeli, Gaza, Gaza City, West, Gaza WASHINGTON, GAZA, JERUSALEM, United States, Hamas, Iran, Israel, Washington, Tokyo, Palestinian, Aqsa, ISRAEL, Gaza's, Qatar, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv

☆ US calls for limits on Israeli control of post-war Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | Thomson Reuters | Humeyra Pamuk Is A Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent Based In Washington Dc. She Covers The U.S. State Department | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Now a month later, Washington has begun discussing with Israeli and Arab leaders a future for the Gaza Strip without Hamas rule. His comments appeared at odds with U.S. officials who say Israel does not want to administer Gaza post-Hamas. "(We) are not going to go to Gaza on an Israeli military tank," PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh told PBS this week. Since Oct. 7, more than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed in a relentless bombardment of the Gaza Strip - home to 2.3 million - by Israeli forces, say Palestinian health officials in Gaza. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday said "best-case scenario" would be a "hopefully re-invigorated" Palestinian Authority assuming some political control over Gaza.

Persons: Ronen, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Netanyahu, we've, Israel, Mahmoud Abbas, Mohammad Shtayyeh, Abbas, Fatah, Biden, Antonio Guterres, John Kirby, Humeyra Pamuk, Rami Ayyub, Howard Goller Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, REUTERS, Rights, West Bank, Palestinian Authority, ABC News, U.S, PBS, Thomson Locations: Israeli, Gaza, Israel, United States, Washington, Tokyo, Palestinian, GAZA, Palestine, U.N, Gaza .

The Israeli military said it had not agreed to a ceasefire and would continue its operations outside of localized humanitarian pauses. Patel said those fleeing their homes should have the ability to return, but said Washington does not have control or jurisdiction over the areas in question. "Those now in the south must have every ability to return to the north when that is safe to do." Hamas gunmen from Gaza burst through the border to Israel on Oct. 7 and killed 1,400 people, Israel says. Since then, more than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed in a relentless bombardment of the Gaza Strip - home to 2.3 million - by Israeli forces, say Palestinian health officials in Gaza.

Persons: Evelyn Hockstein, Vedant Patel, Patel, David Satterfield, Antony Blinken, Satterfield, Simon Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk, Daphne Psaledakis, Daniel Wallis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, United, State Department, Middle East, West Bank, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, U.S, Washington, Gaza . U.S

A satellite image shows humanitarian-associated trucks queueing to enter the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, November 7, 2023. Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 8 (Reuters) - The Rafah border crossing into Gaza was closed on Wednesday due to an unspecified "security circumstance" but U.S. officials were working with Egypt and Israel to get it reopened, U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said. "Our understanding is that given a security circumstance the Rafah border crossing remains closed today," Patel said during a regular press briefing. The United States expects the Egypt-controlled crossing will be reopened at "regular intervals" so that aid can enter the Gaza Strip and foreign nationals can continue to depart, Patel said. The border crossing has opened on many instances and allowed for the safe ... exit for foreign nationals who have sought it," he said.

Persons: Vedant Patel, Patel, Israel, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Hamas, Maxar Technologies, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, U.S . State Department, Israel, United, Gaza, Thomson Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Egypt, Israel, Palestinian, U.S, Washington

Given the U.S. gives Israel $3.8 billion a year in military aid, Sanders said, "We have a right to say, 'Sorry, you need a new military strategy.'" Israeli officials say Hamas uses civilians and hospitals as cover and prevents civilians from leaving combat zones. Multiple U.S. officials say they have been able to influence its conduct in the war somewhat. At the time it was the most military aid the U.S. had given any country. U.S. lawmakers who back a ceasefire support Israel eradicating the Iranian-backed Hamas, but some say Israel's strategy will backfire.

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Biden, Bernie Sanders, Israel, Sanders, CNN's, Joe Biden's, Antony Blinken, Blinken, ”, Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Aaron David Miller, Raphael Cohen, ” Cohen, Pramila Jayapal, Obama, Simon Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk, Doina, Steve Holland, Heather Timmons, Howard Goller Organizations: Franciscan Action, Palestinian, REUTERS, United Nations, Independent U.S, Hamas, Union, Democratic, State Department, U.S, Republicans, Rand Corporation, Thomson Locations: Israel, Washington , U.S, Gaza, U.S, Washington, Baghdad, London, United States, Ukraine, Russia, Saudi Arabia, East, Iran

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks in Tel Aviv, Tuesday Oct. 17, 2023, after an overnight meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Blinken told a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing the status quo of Palestinian Islamist group Hamas being in charge of the densely populated enclave could not continue, but Israel did not want to run Gaza either. Between those two positions were "a variety of possible permutations that we're looking at very closely now, as are other countries," Blinken said. It may involve international agencies that would help provide for both security and governance," Blinken said. "We have had very preliminary talks about what the future of Gaza might look like," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a briefing.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Jacquelyn Martin, Blinken, Joe Biden's, Matthew Miller, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, Steve Holland, Costas Pitas, Stephen Coates, Chris Reese Organizations: Israeli, Rights, Palestinian, United Nations, Bloomberg, U.S, Department, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, United States, Gaza, Israel, U.N, Washington

Palestinians conduct search and rescue operations at the site of Israeli strikes on a residential building, in the central Gaza Strip October 31, 2023. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - The United States has made "real progress" in the last few hours in negotiations to secure a safe passage for Americans and other foreigners who wish to depart the Gaza Strip, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday. So far, traffic at Rafah has reopened one way allowing aid trucks to go slowly into Gaza. "We would hope that any agreement to get any individuals out would also unlock the possibility of American citizens or their families and other foreign nationals coming out," Miller said. "We're working with various parties to try to facilitate their departure from Gaza.

Persons: Ahmed Zakot, Matthew Miller, Miller, Qataris, Israel, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Simon Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk, Daphne Psaledakis, Jasper Ward, Chris Reese, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, United, U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: Gaza, United States, U.S, Rafah, Egypt, Jasper

There were also "frank exchanges" between Blinken and Wang over the erupting conflict in the Middle East. The key area that appeared to show some positive momentum was toward an expected meeting between Biden and Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next month in San Francisco. "We are making preparations for such a meeting," said one of the senior administration officials briefing reporters on condition of anonymity. "China attaches importance to the U.S. side's hopes of stabilizing and improving U.S. ties with China," Wang was quoted as saying in his meeting with Biden. On Thursday, Wang told Blinken that the two countries have disagreements and need "in-depth" and "comprehensive" dialogue to reduce misunderstandings and stabilize ties.

Persons: Wang Yi, Antony Blinken, Elizabeth Frantz, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, Jake Sullivan, Wang, Xi, Blinken, Sullivan, side's, Janet Yellen, Gina Raimondo, Yellen, Raimondo, Thomas Shoal, Humeyra Pamuk, Michael Martina, Steve Holland, Jonathan Oatis, Navaratnam, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Foreign, U.S, State Department, REUTERS, Rights, Economic Cooperation, Blinken, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, China, Washington, East, South China Sea, Taiwan, Asia, San Francisco, Francisco, Beijing, China . U.S, Israel, Iran, South, East China, Philippine

U.S. President Joe Biden has demonstrated unwavering support for Israel's security over a half century in public life. During Blinken's six-day trip, the death toll in Gaza soared from Israeli air strikes and concerns grew about food and water. Every Arab leader Blinken met in the region pressed him to urgently find a solution to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Gaza. HUMANITARIAN PAUSEThe most rapid shift in U.S. policy has happened this week, to support a cessation in Israel's attacks on Gaza to allow aid in and people to escape. But Biden also expressed skepticism toward Palestinian estimates of the death toll and a continued staunch support of Israel.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Evelyn, Aaron David Miller, Barack Obama, Biden’s, Obama, Antony Blinken, Blinken, John Kirby, Kirby, Antonio Guterres, ”, Steve Holland, Phil Stewart, Matt Spetalnick, Humeyra Pamuk, Trevor Hunnicutt, Michelle Nichols, Heather Timmons, Alistair Bell Organizations: Israeli, Hamas, REUTERS, White, U.S, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Democratic, Biden's Democratic, Israel, Palestinian, West Bank, Thomson Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, WASHINGTON, Gaza, Iraq, United States, U.S, U.N

But whether Beijing will use it remains to be seen and experts say China may instead watch from the sidelines for a while longer. Blinken, during a whirlwind Middle East trip last week, spoke by phone to Wang and asked him to use Beijing's clout to ensure the conflict does not widen. On Wednesday, Xi said whether Washington and Beijing could establish the "right" way of getting along and managing their differences would be crucial to the world. U.S. and Chinese officials held a virtual meeting on Monday on macroeconomic developments, talks the U.S. called "productive and substantive" and China called "in-depth, frank and constructive." U.S. officials said Taiwan and the South and East China Seas, where they accused Beijing of "destabilizing and dangerous actions" against rival territorial claimants, would also be on the agenda.

Persons: Wang Yi, Joe Biden, Xi, Biden, Antony Blinken, Wang, Jon Alterman, WANG, BIDEN Shi Yinhong, Shi, Israel, Zhang Jun, Wang's, Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Xi's, Yun Sun, Washington, Humeyra Pamuk, David Brunnstrom, Laurie Chen, Trevor Hunnicutt, Josie Kao Organizations: State Department, . Security, Washington's Center, Strategic, International Studies, Renmin University of China, Reuters, White, PATH, BIDEN, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, China, Washington's, APEC, East China Seas, China's Global Times, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, BEIJING, Washington, China, Beijing, Iran, Israel, Taiwan, South, U.S, Gaza, Asia, San Francisco, Bali, China . U.S, East

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at a press conference on the sidelines of the Third Belt and Road Forum (BRF), at the media centre in Beijing, China October 18, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 23 (Reuters) - China's top diplomat Wang Yi will travel to the United States later this week, senior Biden administration officials said on Monday, in a long-anticipated visit that comes amid soaring tensions in the Middle East, which U.S. officials hope Beijing can help contain. It is also the long-awaited reciprocal visit after several top U.S. officials including Blinken visited Beijing this summer. The visit also comes as Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks and Israel's response dominate global headlines, even as Russia's war in Ukraine grinds on. Washington is sending military aid to Israel and Ukraine, while Beijing has grown closer to Russia since the Ukraine war began and has called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Persons: Wang Yi, Tingshu Wang, Wang, Antony Blinken, Joe Biden's, Jake Sullivan, Biden, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Blinken, ” Washington, Israel, Li Shangfu, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, Deepa Babington Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Biden, U.S, Hamas, East China Seas, Defense, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, United States, Washington, San Francisco, Taiwan, South, Ukraine, Israel, Russia, U.S, Iran, Gaza, East, South China, Philippines

After Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and killed some 1,400 people, the United States stood by its ally and stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself. The priority is on working to get the hostages out step-by-step," said a source briefed on the hostage negotiations. The first U.S. official said that along with the hostage negotiations, advising Israel to hold off on its invasion could also give more time for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza. U.S. officials have urged Israel to follow the laws of war in any invasion of Gaza, which is home to 2.3 million people. Israel would have a difficult time fighting a war on two fronts simultaneously if Hezbollah launches a full-scale fight in the north, U.S. officials say.

Persons: Israel, Joe Biden, John Kirby, Lloyd Austin, Washington Eliav Benjamin, Lebanon's, Antony Blinken, Yoav Gallant, Washington, Matt Spetalnick Steve Holland, Humeyra Pamuk, Dan Williams, Andrew Mills, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Trevor Hunnicutt, Simon Lewis, Michelle Nichols, Grant McCool Organizations: United, Palestinian, Washington, House, Pentagon, State Department, Friday, U.S, United Nations, White House, Israel's Army, Hamas, NBC, Sunday, Sunday . Washington, Hezbollah, Thomson Locations: United States, Gaza, Qatar, Israel, U.S, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Egypt, White, Washington, Iran, Sunday ., Jerusalem, Doha

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON/TEL AVIV, Oct 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's White House is wrestling with thorny security and political challenges as officials consider a potential trip to Israel that may hold longer-term diplomatic advantages for Biden. A visit would, however, grant Biden fresh leverage to influence events on the ground and bolster his image at home. Highlighting the unique security risks facing a Biden trip, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in Israel for meetings, was forced to take shelter in a bunker for five minutes with Netanyahu when sirens went off in Tel Aviv during their meeting. Forty-one percent of respondents said they agreed with a statement that "the U.S. should support Israel" in its conflict with Hamas, while just 2% said the U.S. should support the Palestinians. Biden has visited Israel 10 times, first as a senator in 1973, before the Yom Kippur War involving Israel, Egypt and Syria.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Kevin Lamarque, Joe Biden's, Biden, Adrienne Watson, Netanyahu, Kirsten Fontenrose, Antony Blinken, Olaf Scholz, Jon Alterman, Alterman, Mahmoud Abbas, Alon Pinkas, Ehud Barak, Richard Nixon, Trevor Hunnicutt, Jarrett Renshaw, Humeyra Pamuk, Steve Holland, Matt Spetalnick, Heather Timmons, Howard Goller, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Israeli, General Assembly, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, Biden, Israel, National Security, U.S, Atlantic Council, Presidential, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Service, Republicans, Reuters, Democratic, Gaza, Palestinian, West Bank, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, TEL AVIV, Israel, Washington's, East, Iran, Hezbollah, Syria, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Lebanon, GAZA, Colorado, Egypt, Washington

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