Blinken Announces US Aid to Gaza and Pledges to Reopen Jerusalem Consulate

Blinken Announces US Aid to Gaza and Pledges to Reopen Jerusalem Consulate
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Minister Benny Gantz move to take their seats before their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Jerusalem on May 25, 2021. Alex Brandon/Pool via Reuters
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged on a Middle East mission on Tuesday that Washington would provide new aid to help rebuild Gaza as part of efforts to bolster a ceasefire between the Hamas terrorist group and Israel.

Hoping to reverse a move taken by former President Donald Trump that angered Palestinians, Blinken said the United States would advance the process of reopening its Jerusalem consulate that had served as its diplomatic channel to the Palestinians.