Prior to Tukrey, the top U.S. diplomat held meetings with Arab counterparts in the Jordanian capital, Amman, and paid a visit to Israel the day before
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to embark on a two-day visit to Turkey starting on Sunday as part of his regional tour to try and ease tensions due to the Hamas-Israel conflict.Â
Prior to Tukrey, the top U.S. diplomat held meetings with Arab counterparts in the Jordanian capital, Amman, and paid a visit to Israel the day before.
Blinken’s visit will come after Turkey announced on Saturday that it was recalling its Ambassador to Israel.
The Turkish foreign ministry foreign said its ambassador was being recalled for consultations “in view of the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Gaza caused by the continuing attacks by Israel against civilians, and Israel’s refusal (to accept) a ceasefire.”
In Ankara, Blinken would “underscore the importance of protecting civilian lives in Israel and the Gaza Strip”, the U.S. State Department said in a statement on Saturday.
He would also discuss “our shared commitment to facilitating the increased, sustained delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza” as well as ensuring Palestinians are not forcibly displaced outside of Gaza.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that he was breaking off contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because of Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.
This is a developing story