Top US diplomat Antony Blinken visited Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Blinken urged Israel to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza, emphasizing the need for more food, water, and medicine in the war-torn region. He also reiterated the importance of avoiding further civilian harm and protecting civilian infrastructure in Gaza. Blinken's visit came as the Israeli army continued its offensive in Gaza, with intense bombing and fighting reported in refugee camps and key cities.

From me in Israel: "Secretary of State Antony Blinken made another push for Israel to limit civilian casualties in Gaza and sought to focus on the country’s relationships with Arab nations, part of renewed US efforts to end the conflict."https://t.co/Nt9gWUvNNe

— Iain Marlow (@iainmarlow) January 9, 2024

Israel has been facing immense pressure to scale down its offensive, with the US pressing for more precise operations targeting Hamas to avoid civilian casualties. Blinken has also secured commitments from four Arab nations and Turkey to help in the rebuilding of Gaza after the war. While Blinken is seeking a plan for Gaza's post-war future and has called for the Palestinian Authority to take over governance in Gaza, Israeli leaders have staunchly refused both options. The US and Israel remain deeply divided over the future of Gaza, as well as the possibility of a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Financial and in-kind support from the UAE and Saudi Arabia could be essential to the success of any post-war plan for Gaza, but the Israeli government has its own ideas for the region that may not align with the demands of other countries. As the conflict continues, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with a significant portion of the population facing starvation and shortages of vital supplies, while aid efforts are hampered by the ongoing fighting.