US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit the Middle East for the fourth time since the commencement of Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Amid mounting concerns that the Israel-Gaza war could extend beyond its current borders, a US official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the visit. However, details of the itinerary of Antony, apart from a stop in Israel, have not been disclosed.
The announcement of Antony Blinken’s visit follows a series of significant events, including twin explosions in Iran near the grave of a slain Revolutionary Guards general. The attack resulted in at least 95 fatalities and over 200 injuries. Tehran swiftly attributed the incident to the United States and Israel, a claim promptly rejected by Washington.
Additionally, a Hamas leader in Lebanon lost his life in an unclaimed strike the night before Blinken’s visit was confirmed. A US official, speaking to AFP, revealed that Israel was responsible for the attack in a Beirut suburb.
Expressing concerns about the potential expansion of the Israel-Hamas conflict, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller emphasized that escalating the conflict further was not in the interest of any country in the region or globally. In a visit to the Lebanese border on Wednesday, Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi indicated that troops were in “very high readiness.”
The region faces broader threats of conflict, with the US and its allies issuing a joint warning to Yemen’s Huthi rebels. The warning urged an immediate halt to attacks on Red Sea shipping carried out in solidarity with Hamas, with unspecified consequences mentioned in case of non-compliance.
The Israel-Gaza war, triggered by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, has resulted in around 1,140 deaths, predominantly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Israel’s response, including a relentless bombardment and ground invasion, has claimed at least 22,313 lives, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The United Nations reports 1.9 million displaced Gazans, while the World Health Organization warns of the risk of famine and disease due to minimal aid entering the territory.
Recent events, including the explosions in Iran and the killing of a Hamas leader in Lebanon, have heightened tensions in the region. Iran blamed the US and Israel for the bombings, with Israel and Iran already being longstanding adversaries. The latest incidents have rattled global markets, leading to a more than three percent increase in oil prices.
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group, vowed retaliation for the killing of Hamas operatives in Lebanon. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned against all-out war on its northern neighbor, cautioning that settling scores with Hamas leaders should not extend to Lebanon or Hezbollah.
In Israel’s northern coastal city of Nahariya, residents expressed concerns and carried weapons, fearing that the killing of the Hamas leader in Lebanon could bring the war closer to their region. The sentiment among some residents is that a war is inevitable, with a 54-year-old resident named David stating, “There must be a war… It’s a question of time.”
While Blinken’s visit aims to address the evolving situation and prevent further escalation, the complex geopolitical landscape and ongoing hostilities in the region pose significant challenges. The international community watches closely as tensions persist, emphasizing the need for diplomatic efforts to mitigate the risk of broader conflict.
