Hezbollah targets Tel Aviv, Blinken lands in Israel for talks

2024-10-22 09:05:24Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Hezbollah targets Tel Aviv, Blinken lands in Israel for talks
Antony Blinken

Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Israel on Tuesday, the first stop on a wider Middle East tour aimed at reviving Gaza ceasefire talks and discussing the future of the enclave following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

The diplomat's latest trip - his 11th to the region since Palestinian Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7 that sparked the Gaza war - comes as the Israeli military has intensified its campaign in the Palestinian enclave as well as in Lebanon against the Hezbollah militia. related to Iran.

Blinken's planned week-long trip, which will include a stop in Jordan on Wednesday and Doha, also comes as the region prepares for Israel's response to Iran.

Retaliation could disrupt oil markets and risk sparking an all-out war between the archenemies.

In Gaza, Blinken will focus discussions on how to end the war, plans for the enclave after the fighting ends and how to improve humanitarian aid, a senior State Department official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Last week Blinken and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin wrote to Israeli officials asking for concrete measures to address the worsening situation in Gaza, or face possible restrictions on the US. military aid.

The official said that in his meetings with Israel and Arab countries, Blinken will specifically consider security, governance and reconstruction.

The secretary of state will also discuss with Israel and other countries how to secure a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Hezbollah and will continue Washington's conversation with the Israelis about their expected response to Iran's missile attack, the official said.


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