74 Dual-National Americans Depart Gaza Amid Conflict, Blinken Heads to Mideast for High-Stakes Diplomacy

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In a statement on Thursday, President Joe Biden disclosed that a contingent of 74 Americans who hold dual nationality had been successfully evacuated from the Gaza Strip. This update coincided with the initiation of a strategic diplomatic mission by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the Middle East, aimed at engaging with Israeli and Jordanian leaders amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas.

President Biden, during an Oval Office session with the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, confirmed the evacuation: “Today, we have successfully extracted 74 American dual citizens.” The White House had earlier reported that between 500 to 600 American citizens were caught in Gaza as the conflict, which commenced on October 7, showed no signs of abating after nearly four weeks.

At the beginning of the week, it was acknowledged that five Americans had been among the numerous dual nationals who had managed to depart from Gaza, currently in the throes of a humanitarian crisis. John Kirby, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, expressed optimism about the prospect of additional U.S. citizens leaving Gaza soon, indicating that the departure process was expected to gain momentum.

As the war continues, live reports indicate that hundreds are evacuating the Gaza Strip, urging Israel to consider a halt to the hostilities. The advance of Israeli forces toward Gaza City has been met with an increasing Palestinian death toll, now exceeding 9,000. Amidst the chaos and hope, the first groups of foreign nationals with passports have started their journey out of Gaza through the Egyptian border.

The facilitation efforts by Qatar, who has open channels with Hamas, have been highlighted as instrumental in the departure of American citizens from Gaza.

Biden’s announcement was timely as Secretary Blinken embarked on a critical trip to the Middle East with a nuanced diplomatic stance. Compared to his immediate post-attack messages, Blinken’s diplomatic approach now encompasses a broader and more intricate set of issues as the conflict intensifies, demanding the U.S. administration to balance domestic and foreign policy challenges as well as international sentiment.

In his diplomatic efforts, Blinken is set to advocate for further evacuations and increased humanitarian support for Gaza. He will urge Israel to curtail violence in the West Bank by Jewish settlers and emphasize civilian protection—a topic on which the U.S. administration has not yet criticized Israel, despite the high civilian casualty count in Gaza.

Blinken, addressing the press before his departure, emphasized the United States’ commitment to devising concrete measures to reduce the harm to civilians in Gaza, suggesting further dialogue on the matter during his visits to Israel and Jordan, with potential additional stops in the region.

Amidst these developments, President Biden also held discussions with Chilean President Gabriel Boric. Despite Chile recalling its ambassador to Israel over the Gaza civilian casualties—a decision not publicly addressed during their meeting—Boric condemned the disproportionate response by Israel and the contravention of international humanitarian law in interactions with reporters outside the White House.

The White House, in response, affirmed the U.S. stance with Israel, asserting its right to self-defense within the bounds of international humanitarian law.

Blinken’s agenda does not solely focus on immediate concerns but also on the broader Middle East peace process, including the establishment of a Palestinian state and the conditions for long-term peace. Despite skepticism regarding the feasibility of an Israeli re-occupation of Gaza, the post-conflict governance of the territory remains a pressing question, with the U.S. hinting at a potential role for the Palestinian Authority, Arab states, and international organizations in a post-conflict Gaza.

The Secretary of State will articulate the U.S.’s determination to foster conditions conducive to peace in the region, reaffirming the goal of a two-state solution—a longstanding but elusive aim for past U.S. administrations.

As Blinken proceeds with his diplomatic mission, he does so against the backdrop of shifting global opinions regarding the ongoing conflict, with the initial wave of international sympathy for Israel giving way to criticism over its military strategy and the concurrent rise in antisemitic and anti-Muslim violence globally.

Blinken’s journey is also shadowed by the delicate state of relations with Arab nations, as Jordan recalls its ambassador to Israel in a stark diplomatic move, underscoring the high stakes of his Middle Eastern diplomacy.

Acknowledging the severity of civilian losses on both sides, Blinken emphasized the shared humanity that makes the suffering of children in Gaza or Israel a deeply personal and pressing concern, committing to responsive action by the U.S. government.

As this report has been developed, contributions have been made by AP correspondents Sagar Meghani and writers Chris Megarian and Will Weissert.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Gaza Evacuation

More about Gaza Evacuation

• Biden’s Announcement on Gaza Evacuation
• Secretary Blinken’s Middle East Diplomacy
• Israel-Hamas Conflict Update
• Qatar’s Role in Gaza Evacuation
• Chile’s Diplomatic Action Against Israel
• U.S. Affirms Israel’s Right to Self-Defense
• Two-State Solution Advocacy
• Global Opinion on Israel’s Military Response
• Jordan-Israel Diplomatic Tensions