This is Secretary of State Antony Blinken's 11th visit to the region since the Gaza conflict broke out in October 2023, amid increased Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
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| US Secretary of State Antony Blinken begins a week-long trip to Israel and several countries in the Middle East. (Source: AP) |
According to the US State Department, Secretary of State Blinken on October 21 began a week-long trip to Israel and several other Arab countries such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Earlier, after Israel killed Hamas military leader Yahya Sinwar, US President Joe Biden announced that he would send Mr. Blinken to the Middle East. Many believe that this move could open up opportunities for ceasefire negotiations that have been deadlocked for months.
Israeli officials said that on October 22, Secretary of State Blinken is scheduled to meet with the host country's leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.
According to US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, Mr. Blinken will discuss ending the fighting in Gaza, securing the release of hostages and reducing suffering for the Palestinian people. At the same time, this official will plan for the post-conflict period and "orient a new path for the Palestinian people to rebuild their lives."
Miller also stressed the need to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, something that Secretary of State Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin addressed in a letter to Israel last week, reminding Israel that the Biden administration may be forced to cut some forms of military funding if humanitarian aid continues to be blocked.
In addition to the conflict in Gaza, Mr. Blinken also mentioned the desire to reach a diplomatic solution to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and other areas.
Spokesperson Miller emphasized: "Mr. Blinken will reaffirm the US commitment to cooperate with partners in the region to de-escalate tensions and bring about long-term stability."
Since the Gaza conflict began on October 7, 2023, Mr. Blinken has traveled to the Middle East 10 times in search of a solution to the crisis. While previous trips have not achieved significant results, he has succeeded in increasing aid to Gaza.
Since September 2024, the situation has become more tense, raising concerns about the conflict spreading across the region, especially after Israel launched a ground campaign in Lebanon against Hezbollah and killed its leader Hassan Nasrallah in a major airstrike on the outskirts of Beirut.
Iran has also responded to Israeli strikes on its proxies with multiple ballistic missile launches. The Biden administration has warned Israel of its planned retaliation and has expressed confidence that its leaders will not attack Iranian nuclear or oil facilities.
However, Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly affirmed that Israel listens to advice from the US but will act in its national interest. Therefore, Israel has not listened to Washington's previous warnings about escalating the conflict.
Meanwhile, according to US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, President Joe Biden expressed "deep concern" when classified documents related to Israel's plan to retaliate against Iran were leaked. Washington is investigating and clarifying this incident.
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