
Surprise Visit: Antony Blinken Meets Palestinian President In West Bank

Antony Blinken made a surprise visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank to meet with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas

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The visit was unannounced for security reasons

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It coincided with rising violence in the West Bank and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which started on October 7

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The war began after Hamas attacked southern Israel, resulting in casualties, according to Israeli officials

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Nearly 9,500 people have been killed in the conflict, as per the Hamas-run health ministry

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Blinken had previously visited Israel and other Arab nations but hadn't been to the West Bank since October 7

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He expressed concern about increasing violence in the West Bank and emphasized the US commitment to peace in the region

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Over 150 Palestinians were reported killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers and attacks by Israeli settlers since the war's onset

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The United States supports a two-state solution as the way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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Blinken suggested that the Palestinian Authority should take control of the Gaza Strip, currently governed by Hamas, and there is international concern over tensions in the West Bank

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