Blinken Visits Israel Amidst Regional Tensions

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Israel on Tuesday for consultations with Israeli officials in light of the ongoing war against Iran's regional proxy terrorist groups, including Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon. This is Blinken's 11th trip to Israel as Secretary of State since this war began on October 7th, 2023, and it is expected to focus on US hopes to attain a cease-fire in Gaza as well as tone down Israel's planned strike on Iran to retaliate for the Iranian ballistic missile attack of October 1st.

The US State Department issued a statement ahead of his trip to the region saying that he would focus on ending the war in Gaza, securing the release of hostages held by Hamas and alleviating the humanitarian situation of Palestinian civilians in the Strip.

Following his stop in Israel, Blinken is scheduled to visit Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates for consultations with their leadership.

Blinken's Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, has also been travelling around the region in recent days trying to explain his regime's position and garner support for it in light of Israel's expected retaliatory strike.

“All the neighbors assured us that they will not allow their lands and air to be used against Iran,” Araghchi said, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. “This is an expectation from all friendly and neighboring countries and we consider this a sign of friendship.”

However, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization fired dozens of rockets into northern Israel in the hours before Blinken's arrival. Hezbollah also claimed responsibility on Tuesday for last Saturday's assassination attempt on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.