U.S. Denies Report of Blinken Backing Israeli Border Troop Strategy

The U.S. has refuted claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convinced U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to support Israel’s stance on maintaining troops on the Gaza-Egypt border. A senior U.S. official emphasized the need for a ceasefire, deeming Netanyahu’s statements unconstructive.

The United States on Tuesday rebuffed a report that claimed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had persuaded U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to endorse Israel's plan to keep troops along the Gaza-Egypt border.

An Axios journalist reported via X that Netanyahu asserted Israel would retain control over the Philadelphi corridor—a move he described as a strategic military asset—in a discussion with Blinken on Monday in Israel.

Refuting this, a senior U.S. administration official emphasized, 'The only thing Secretary Blinken and the United States are convinced of is the need for getting a ceasefire proposal across the finish line.' The official added that statements like Netanyahu’s are unhelpful for facilitating a ceasefire process and risk impeding technical discussions.