US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to begin a diplomatic visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank just hours after Israeli forces killed another Palestinian in Hebron, amid an escalation of violence
Blinken's visit on Monday comes days after a deadly Israeli military raid in the occupied West Bank killed 10 Palestinians, triggering retaliatory attacks that left seven Israelis dead and five others wounded.
US officials say the main theme of Blinken’s conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will be “de-escalation.” The violence has made January one of the bloodiest months in the occupied West Bank and occupied east Jerusalem in several years. Perhaps most alarming was Netanyahu's vague promise to “strengthen” Israel's Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are illegal under international law.
The Palestinians and human rights groups believe that Israel's measures against the Palestinian population, including the demolition of homes of attackers' families, amounts to collective punishment, which is illegal under international law.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israeli-Palestinian cauldron tests US as Blinken visitsJERUSALEM (AP) — An alarming spike in Israeli-Palestinian violence and sharp responses by both sides are testing the Biden administration as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken plunges into a cauldron of deepening mistrust and anger on visits to Israel and the West Bank this week.
Read more »
Palestinian gunman kills 7 near Jerusalem synagogue, officials say, day after deadly Israeli raidA Palestinian gunman opened fire outside an east Jerusalem synagogue Friday night, killing seven people, including a 70-year-old woman, and wounding three others before he was shot and killed by police, officials said.
Read more »
Here's what is driving the latest spiral of Israeli-Palestinian violenceA 10-month military crackdown, a half-century occupation, increasing Palestinian militancy and a far-right Israeli government could impact the chances for more violence.
Read more »
Jerusalem shooting: Alleged 13-year-old Palestinian gunman apprehended by armed Israeli citizenIsraeli Police responded within minutes and were able to apprehend the shooter before he could drive away, giving him treatment in a police ambulance after his arrest.
Read more »