"Blinken's Middle East Mission Ends Amid Israeli Rejection and Warning Against Dehumanization"

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded his fifth Mideast trip with strained relations between the U.S. and Israel, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a proposed cease-fire plan for Gaza and vowed to continue the war until "absolute victory" over Hamas. Despite the public divisions, Blinken remains optimistic about progress in improving humanitarian conditions for Palestinians and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas. The U.S. and Israel are at odds over the proposed plan, with Netanyahu also dismissing concerns about expanding military operations in southern Gaza and calling for the dismantlement of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Blinken emphasized the importance of pursuing a diplomatic path to a just and lasting peace in the region, while Netanyahu opposes the creation of a Palestinian state and insists on maintaining security control over Gaza.