First statement from Blinken after meeting with Hakan Fidan

US Secretary of State Blinken made statements to members of the press at the airport following his meeting with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

"WE HELD IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS ON EVACUATING CIVILIANS FROM GAZA"

Stating that efforts regarding Gaza are ongoing, Blinken said, “We are aware of the deep concerns here. We see the terrible toll in Gaza. We see the price paid by Palestinians, by innocent civilians. We share this concern and we are working on this every day. We are in contact with the Israelis. We discussed the steps they can take. You will see concrete steps taken in the coming days to reduce civilian casualties and to deliver more aid to Gaza. You will see the necessary steps taken in the coming days for a large amount of aid to reach those in need in Gaza. We have also held important steps and important discussions regarding the evacuation of civilians from Gaza. Beyond the meeting, we have done our best to prevent the conflict from spreading to the region by using the influence of different regional countries. This is extremely critical. Regional countries are also making a tremendous effort to ensure this does not happen” he stated.

"WE CONTINUE TO WORK"

Underlining that very important discussions have been held with regional countries to create the conditions for a just and sustainable peace, Blinken said, “We continue to work on this. As we try to resolve this crisis, we are also thinking about what comes after. We are striving for a better path to be ahead of us, for there to be a better path to follow. I think we are making progress on all these issues. I heard the same thing everywhere I went. There is no alternative to US leadership on all these issues. Countries are looking to us. They expect us to do something” he said.

THE ISSUE OF HOSTAGES

Emphasizing that there is an intense focus on the issue of hostages, Blinken stated, “We think that a humanitarian pause could also be beneficial in this regard. A humanitarian pause could also be beneficial for the hostages. We are focused not only on Gaza but also on what is happening in the West Bank” he said.