US' Blinken talks with Mideast diplomats, leaders following Israel's claim to have killed Sinwar

ISTANBUL

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with top leaders and diplomats in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel about Tel Aviv’s announcement that it had killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the US State Department said Friday.

Blinken held separate phone calls with both Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, exchanging views on the situation and discussing efforts to end the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, according to a statement from the State Department.

The conversations highlighted the importance of a roadmap for the people of Gaza to "rebuild their cities and lives" after a cessation of hostilities, said the statement.

Blinken reiterated US support for diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts along the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon – the de facto border between the countries – in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The statement also said that in a phone call, Blinken congratulated Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sinwar's killing and reaffirmed the US commitment to Israel's security.

During their call, it said, Biden stressed the urgent need for action to secure the release of hostages in Gaza and to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people by ending the conflict, which has continued for over a year, and has killed more than 42,000 people in Gaza.