U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Secures Arab Support for Post-War Gaza Reconstruction, Israel's Far-right Government Remains a Roadblock

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has concluded his urgent Mideast tour with talks in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. American officials claim modest success in securing wide regional support for planning reconstruction and governance in Gaza after Israel's war with Hamas ends. Despite progress, uncertainty remains as Israel's far-right government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is not on board with several key points.

Blinken managed to secure buy-in from previously reluctant Arab and Muslim nations to begin post-war planning in discussions with the leaders of Turkey, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the Palestinian Authority over his week-long mission. Each country pledged to participate in the general planning, although Israel has remained an outlier. Arab support is contingent not only on the end of the conflict but also the establishment of a pathway for the creation of an independent Palestinian state, something that Netanyahu opposes.

Additionally, the reform of the Palestinian Authority was discussed at a summit held in Aqaba, with a commitment from the Palestinian Authority to pursue meaningful reform. Blinken emphasized that Israel bolstering its security and the creation of a Palestinian state is the best way to thwart attacks from Iran's regional proxies. He highlighted a greater willingness from countries to make hard decisions and do what's necessary to advance on the path that brings Israel's needs and desires for integration in the region and genuine security with the Palestinian aspirations for a state of their own. He added that the current crisis had galvanized Arab backing to find a long-term solution that bolsters Israel's security, creates a Palestinian state, and isolates Iran and its proxies.