US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he warned Israeli leaders that moving forward with the evictions of Palestinian families could spark renewed conflict.
“We raised the concerns that we have on all sides with actions that in the first instance could spark tension, conflict and war and also ultimately undermine even further the difficult prospects for two states," Mr Blinken told the news website Axios on Thursday.
In talks with Israeli leaders, Mr Blinken mentioned “evictions of Palestinians from their homes where they lived for decades and generations, the demolitions of housing as well ... and of course everything that took place on and around the Temple Mount", Axios reported.
Mr Blinken was returning to the US from Jordan after a visit to the Middle East in which he called for regional co-operation to consolidate a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza militants.
Mr Blinken met Israeli and Palestinian leaders during two days of talks, giving his and the Biden administration's support to the Egyptian-brokered truce that ended 11 days of heavy Israeli bombing of Gaza.
"Securing the ceasefire was important, particularly because of the devastating toll violence took on families on both sides," Mr Blinken said after talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II in Amman, his final stop.
"We see the ceasefire not as an end, but as a beginning of something to build on."
After talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Mr Blinken promised to rebuild US relations with the Palestinians by reopening a consulate in Jerusalem, as well as providing millions in aid.
The announcements signalled a break with US policy under former president Donald Trump, who had shut the diplomatic mission for Palestinians in 2019 and slashed aid to the Palestinian Authority.
Mr Blinken also reiterated support for Israel's right to defend itself against rocket attacks from Gaza by the Palestinian territory's ruling Hamas group, and said that the group must not benefit from reconstruction aid.
BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Turkey - because the government look after animals so well there.
Favourite film: I love scary movies. I have so many favourites but The Ring stands out.
Favourite book: The Lord of the Rings. I didn’t like the movies but I loved the books.
Favourite colour: Black.
Favourite music: Hard rock. I actually also perform as a rock DJ in Dubai.
Duterte Harry: Fire and Fury in the Philippines
Jonathan Miller, Scribe Publications
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
The biog
Name: James Mullan
Nationality: Irish
Family: Wife, Pom; and daughters Kate, 18, and Ciara, 13, who attend Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)
Favourite book or author: “That’s a really difficult question. I’m a big fan of Donna Tartt, The Secret History. I’d recommend that, go and have a read of that.”
Dream: “It would be to continue to have fun and to work with really interesting people, which I have been very fortunate to do for a lot of my life. I just enjoy working with very smart, fun people.”
88 Video's most popular rentals
Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.
Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.
Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
