US will help rebuild Gaza

Reuters | Jerusalem

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged on a Middle East mission yesterday that Washington would rally support to rebuild Gaza as part of efforts to bolster a cease-fire between Palestine and Israel.

But Blinken made clear that the US intended to ensure that Hamas did not benefit from the humanitarian aid — a potentially difficult task in an enclave over which it has a strong grip.

Blinken began his regional visit in Jerusalem, where he held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Also yesterday, Blinken announced that the US would reopen its Consulate General in Jerusalem — a move that restores ties with Palestinians that had been downgraded by the Trump administration.

He did not give a precise date for its reopening. The consulate long served as an autonomous office in charge of diplomatic relations with the Palestinians.