Amid tensions stemming from the Gaza conflict, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas discussed efforts to restore calm in the West Bank and combat extremist violence against Palestinians. The State Department issued a statement confirming their discussion. The Israeli military has intensified strikes, while armed Israeli settlers have carried out deadly attacks in the West Bank since Hamas’ incursion on October 7th.
Millions of Palestinians live under Israeli occupation in the West Bank, and Blinken has expressed deep concern over the extremist violence targeting them.
Abbas, who leads the Palestinian Authority, is a rival of Hamas, which violently ousted them from Gaza in 2007. Abbas has long advocated for the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. The Palestinian security forces under his command have cooperated closely with Israel to apprehend Palestinian militants.
There are indications that if Hamas is defeated, the Palestinian Authority could have a role in governing Gaza. After their meeting on Sunday, a senior State Department official, speaking anonymously, stated that Blinken emphasized the United States’ belief that the Palestinian Authority should play a central role in Gaza’s future.
Abbas, however, has not publicly condemned the Hamas attacks on October 7th, likely due to concerns of further inflaming Palestinian sentiment. He has called for a general ceasefire and the protection of Palestinian civilians.
Blinken and Abbas previously held talks three weeks ago in Amman, shortly after the Hamas attacks.
During his visit to Baghdad on Sunday, Secretary of State Blinken met with Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to demonstrate support.
Baghdad is the latest stop on Blinken’s regional trip aimed at managing the consequences of Israel’s conflict with Hamas. A key priority for the Biden administration is to deter Iran and its proxies, particularly Hezbollah, from becoming involved.