A summary that was released by the U.S. State Department of the meeting between Blinken and Abbas said, "the secretary reaffirmed the United States' commitment to the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance and resumption of essential services in Gaza and made clear that Palestinians must not be forcibly displacement."
Blinken and Abbas "discussed efforts to restore calm and stability in the West Bank, including the need to stop extremist violence against Palestinians and hold those accountable responsible," the State Department added.
The State Department summary quotes Blinken reiterating “that the United States remains committed to advancing equal measures of dignity and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike."
Sunday's visit marked Blinken's first visit to the Palestinian territory since war erupted between Israel and Hamas following the October 7 attack that killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians — figures released by the Middle Eastern nation.
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says nearly 9,800 people, mostly civilians, in the besieged territory have been killed by Israel’s retaliatory land, air and sea attack.
The U.S. Secretary flew into Tel Aviv on Sunday morning and travelled in a high-security convoy to the Ramallah headquarters of the Palestinian Authority —the body which, he recently said, should replace the Hamas government in Gaza.
His visit to the West Bank marked the second by a high-ranking Western visitor since the war started, following French President Emmanuel Macron.
The unannounced trip came amid sharply rising violence in the West Bank.
Palestinian news agency Wafa quoted Abbas condemning what he labelled a "genocide" in comments to Blinken.
"I have no words to describe the genocide and destruction suffered by our Palestinian people in Gaza at the hands of Israel's war machine, with no regard for the principles of international law," Abbas was quoted as saying.
More than 150 Palestinians have been killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers and attacks by Israeli settlers since the start of the war, according to the Palestinian Authority.
Three were killed Sunday in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Blinken's meeting with Abbas, whose secular Fatah party is Hamas's rival, came at a time Washington has heaped political and military support on its ally Israel.
The U.S Secretary has advocated "humanitarian pauses" in Gaza on his recent tour of the Middle East, to protect civilians and ease aid deliveries in the densely populated territory.
Washington has also advocated a two-state solution as the only path out of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Friday spoke on his nation's position on Washington's requests for "humanitarian pauses."
Speaking during a televised addressed after meeting Blinken, Netanyahu said "Israel refuses any temporary cease-fire that does not include the return of our kidnapped hostages."
Information in this article was sourced from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
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