Blinken heading to Middle East to promote ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon
Photo: Antony Blinken (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will embark on a visit to the Middle East today. His goal is to promote a ceasefire in Gaza and to end hostilities in Lebanon, according to a statement from US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
According to him, Blinken plans to visit Israel. Additionally, he has scheduled visits to other countries in the region. There, he will discuss the importance of ending the war in Gaza, securing the release of all hostages, and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Blinken will also address the need to achieve a diplomatic resolution to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
"The Secretary will also discuss the need to reach a diplomatic resolution to the conflict between Israel and Hizballah," Miller stated.
Operation in the Gaza Strip
On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in the deaths of over a thousand people, with hundreds taken hostage. In response, Israel launched a military operation in the Gaza Strip. Later, Hamas released 120 hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The UN confirmed instances of sexual violence. The FBI and the US Department of Homeland Security warned of possible new acts of violence due to the escalating situation in the Middle East.
