Antony Blinken’s Critical Middle East Trip Amid Gaza War, Iran Tensions, and Hezbollah Conflict
The top U.S. diplomat’s latest trip – his eleventh to the region since Palestinian Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7 triggering the Gaza war – comes as the Israeli military has intensified its campaign against in the Palestinian enclave as well as in Lebanon against Hezbollah.
Antony Blinken’s planned week-long trip, which will include a stop in Jordan on Wednesday and Doha, also comes as the region braces for Israel’s response to Iran’s Oct. 1 ballistic missile attack on Israel. The retaliation could disrupt oil markets and risk igniting a full-blown war between the arch-enemies.
On Gaza, Blinken will focus discussions on how to end the war, plans for the enclave after the fighting ends, and how to improve humanitarian assistance, said a senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Last week, Antony Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin wrote to Israeli officials demanding concrete measures to address the worsening situation in Gaza or face potential restrictions on U.S. military aid.
The official said that in his meetings with Israel and Arab countries, Blinken will focus on “day after” issues, particularly security, governance, and reconstruction.
Detailed plans for each of these have been seen as a prerequisite for achieving any lasting resolution to the conflict.
The secretary of state will also discuss with Israel and other countries how to secure a diplomatic resolution to the conflict with Hezbollah, and will continue Washington’s conversation with the Israelis about their expected response to Iran’s missile attack, said the official.
