U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken departed for the Middle East on Monday to renew efforts to broker a ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon. His visit comes days after the assassination of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, who had been directing resistance against Israeli forces in Rafah, southern Gaza.
According to the U.S. State Department, Blinken’s trip is expected to last through Friday. His discussions will focus on the importance of ending the war in Gaza, securing the release of all hostages, and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people.
However, the White House downplayed expectations, with spokesperson John Kirby telling reporters, “I can’t say that negotiations will resume in Doha, Cairo, or elsewhere.”
Blinken’s first stop will be in Israel, followed by other Middle Eastern countries, though specific stops were not disclosed by the State Department. In previous visits, Blinken has traveled to Qatar and Egypt, two key mediators in the Gaza conflict.
11th Visit to the Region
This will mark Blinken’s 11th visit to the Middle East since the outbreak of war in Gaza over a year ago. The trip will also address post-war arrangements, which are crucial for securing a lasting agreement. He will work toward a diplomatic solution in Lebanon, where Israel remains locked in an intense conflict with Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran.
The trip comes just three weeks before the U.S. presidential elections, raising the stakes for the Biden administration. In his previous visit to Israel in August, Blinken warned that it might be the “last chance” for a ceasefire based on President Joe Biden’s proposal.
