Blinken thanks PM Sudani for Gaza ceasefire support

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday thanked Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani for Baghdad’s support of a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire to the Israel-Hamas war. 

Blinken and Sudani met in Jordan and “discussed the comprehensive proposal to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and secure the release of all hostages. The Secretary expressed appreciation for Iraq’s support of the plan and reiterated that Hamas should accept it without further delay,” US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.  

During the meeting, Blinken reiterated Washington’s commitment to its relationship with Baghdad “to build economic opportunities and prosperity for all Iraqis,” according to the statement. 

"Prime Minister Al-Sudani emphasized the need for a clear U.S. stance on the aggression by Netanyahu’s government and highlighted the weakness of the international community's response to the ongoing tragedy. He stressed that the large number of casualties and the extent of the destruction cannot be ignored, warning that the ongoing threats against Lebanon could escalate the regional conflict," read a statement from Sudani's office. 

On Tuesday, Iraq’s foreign ministry welcomed the UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire to the Israel-Hamas war. 

“Iraq welcomes the decision of the Security Council calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the support it included for the full withdrawal of the Zionist occupation forces, and the safe return of displaced Palestinian citizens to their homes in various areas of the Strip,” the ministry said in a statement. 

In late May, United States President Joe Biden announced what he described as an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire. The proposal called for the withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from “populated areas” of Gaza, an increase in humanitarian aid, the return of Palestinians to their homes, the exchange of some of the hostages, a permanent end to hostilities, and the reconstruction of the Strip.

The US-drafted resolution saw overwhelming support from the UN Security Council, and it was adopted on Monday with 14 of the 15 members voting in favor, and Russia abstaining.

Iraq is a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and has on several occasions condemned the lack of global support for justice for Palestinians.