Blinken in Ankara: We Discussed Efforts to Expand Humanitarian Aid in Gaza

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken began difficult talks in Turkey today, Monday, in an attempt to calm Ankara's anger over the ongoing war in Gaza. Blinken revealed that he discussed with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan "efforts to expand humanitarian aid in Gaza and prevent the escalation of conflict in the region," noting that "the coming days will see significant expansions in humanitarian aid." He confirmed that the United States is closely monitoring "Israel's commitment to its pledges regarding violence in the West Bank." A U.S. State Department official indicated that the meeting between Blinken and Fidan lasted two hours and thirty minutes. A source from the Turkish Foreign Ministry told Reuters that Minister Hakan Fidan informed his U.S. counterpart about the urgent need to announce a ceasefire in Gaza, adding that "Fidan also spoke with Blinken about the necessity of preventing Israel from targeting civilians and displacing the population of Gaza."