Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi expressed strong criticism of Israel’s military operation in Gaza. This pushback comes as the top U.S. diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, continues his intensive travels across the Middle East in an effort to avert a broader regional conflict sparked by the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Secretary Blinken reiterated Washington’s unwavering support for Israel, affirming that the United States would stand by Israel “today, tomorrow, and every day” based on shared democratic values. However, he emphasized that Israel must exercise “every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians.” Despite acknowledging the significant loss of civilian lives in Gaza as a result of Israel’s bombing campaign, Blinken did not offer direct public criticism of Israel’s actions.
After departing from Cairo, Blinken headed to Jordan and plans to return to Israel on Monday to convey the feedback he gathered in discussions with leaders throughout the Arab world.
As fears rise that Israel’s impending move into Gaza could lead to a broader conflict with severe humanitarian consequences, the Biden administration is deeply concerned. Egypt’s state-run media reported that President el-Sissi told Blinken that Israel’s actions have exceeded “the right of self-defense” and have turned into “a collective punishment.”
Blinken, while underscoring Israel’s right and obligation to defend itself against Hamas attacks, stressed the importance of the manner in which Israel carries out its defense. He emphasized that Israel must affirm the shared values of human life and dignity, taking all necessary precautions to avoid harming civilians.
During his travels, Blinken met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, building on earlier discussions with leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority. In each of these meetings, there was a shared determination to prevent the conflict from spreading further, protect innocent lives, and provide assistance to Palestinians in Gaza.
The White House also announced the appointment of David Satterfield, a former ambassador to Lebanon and Turkey, to lead U.S. efforts in delivering humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations in the Middle East. Satterfield is expected to arrive in Israel on Monday.
The Biden administration has conveyed its principles publicly and privately, emphasizing that all military operations should be conducted in accordance with the law of war, protect civilians, and ensure their access to essential resources. This approach represents a shift in the administration’s comments, acknowledging concerns from Arab leaders about the potential humanitarian catastrophe resulting from an Israeli ground offensive.
The U.S. has faced difficulties in evacuating American citizens from Gaza through Egypt’s Rafah crossing, which has been closed due to airstrikes. The crossing is a high priority for the U.S., but as of now, very few have been able to leave.
Arab leaders have responded positively to Blinken’s message, acknowledging Israel’s right to respond to Hamas attacks while expressing deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. They have emphasized that the current situation cannot be resolved without an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal that grants the Palestinians an independent state.
Blinken reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel in Egypt, stating that the U.S. would stand with Israel “in word and also in deed.” In his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed, the focus was on halting terrorist attacks by Hamas, securing the release of all hostages, and preventing the conflict from spreading, emphasizing shared commitments to protect civilians and advance stability across the Middle East and beyond.
Saudi Arabia echoed the concerns of other Arab leaders, primarily focusing on Palestinian civilians and the targeting of civilians in the conflict. They stressed the need to halt military operations that have claimed innocent lives.