“Secretary A. Blinken will travel to Israel on Friday, where he will first meet with members of the Israeli government, followed by planned stops in other parts of the region,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters on Tuesday.
Israeli media, citing Israeli officials, previously reported the visit.
Days after the surprise attack by Hamas militants, Blinken traveled to Israel to show US support and coordinate a response.
After that, the US diplomat visited Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and returned to Israel again.
On October 18, he accompanied US President Joe Biden on a one-day visit to meetings with Israeli government officials and victims.
After Hamas militants, who rule the Gaza Strip, invaded the territory of the Jewish state on October 7 and, according to Israeli officials, killed 1,400 people. people, mostly civilians, and took at least 240 hostages, including US citizens, Israel began a large-scale bombing campaign against the enclave.
The Ministry of Health of the Gaza Strip, controlled by the Hamas group, reported that more than 8,500 Palestinians have died in the Palestinian territory since the start of the war with Israel. people, of which more than 3.5 thousand of children.
Hamas blames Israel for the strike, which has sparked anger across the Arab world.
The US is Israel’s largest military sponsor, providing about $3.8 billion annually. (3.4 billion euros) in defense support.
Mr. Biden asked Congress for additional funding for Israel and Ukraine.
Blinken had arrived at the US Capitol on Tuesday to defend the funding request, but the Senate hearing was repeatedly disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters, some of whom chanted “Cease now”, “Palestinians are not animals” and “Shame on you all” before being escorted out of the chamber. .
During the meeting, Blinken also spoke about what could happen after the current conflict, saying that the Palestinian Authority should take control of the Gaza Strip from Hamas, which has ruled the territory since 2007.
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#Blinken #visit #Israel #Friday
Analysis: Blinken’s Visit to Israel Amidst Recent Tensions
In light of recent developments in the Middle East, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken‘s upcoming visit to Israel has drawn significant attention. As reported by the State Department, Blinken’s trip will involve meetings with Israeli government officials and stops in other parts of the region. This move is seen as a demonstration of US support and an effort to coordinate a response to the recent surprise attack by Hamas militants.
Since the attack on October 7, which Israeli officials say resulted in the deaths of 1,400 people, mostly civilians, the region has been on high alert. Blinken’s visit to Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt comes at a critical juncture, with the international community seeking to de-escalate tensions and find a peaceful resolution.
Interestingly, Blinken’s visit has raised questions about humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been restricted in the past. As reported by ProPublica, Blinken told Congress that “We do not currently assess that the Israeli government is prohibiting or otherwise restricting” aid [1]. However, there have been concerns raised about Israel’s blocking of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which could exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation.
Blinken’s commitment to Israel’s security is well-documented. As seen in his call with Israeli President Herzog [3], the Secretary reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iranian-backed terrorist organizations. This stance has been consistent throughout his tenure as Secretary of State.
Moreover, Blinken’s accompaniment of President Joe Biden on a one-day visit to Israel, where they met with Israeli government officials and victims, underscores the US’s strong backing of Israel.
In a recent press availability [2], Blinken highlighted the US’s commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. As he navigates the complex landscape of Middle Eastern politics, Blinken’s visit to Israel is a crucial step towards de-escalating tensions and promoting a lasting peace.
As the situation in the region continues to unfold, Blinken’s visit will likely be closely watched by international observers. Will the Secretary’s efforts be enough to bring about a lasting resolution, or will the region continue to be plagued by conflict and unrest? Only time will tell.
