Blinken calls on Israel to take urgent action against settler violence

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel on Thursday to take "affirmative steps" to stop settler extremist violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

In a phone call with Israeli War Cabinet member Minister Benny Gantz, Blinken "stressed the urgent need for affirmative steps to de-escalate tensions in the West Bank, including by confronting rising levels of settler extremist violence,” according to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

Blinken and Gantz also discussed "ongoing efforts to prevent the (Israel-Hamas) conflict from widening and to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, including US citizens,” Miller said in the statement.

During the call, Blinken stressed that the US "remains committed to advancing a two-state solution,” the statement added.

Blinken's call came as the Israeli army carried out raids in the occupied West Bank, including in the city of Jenin and the Jenin refugee camp, leading to clashes with Palestinian gunmen.

The West Bank is witnessing a wave of tension and confrontations between Palestinians and the Israeli army, which has stepped up the conducting of night raids in several areas of the territory amid increased settler violence and the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.