US Secretary of State Antony Blinken touched down in Israel on Tuesday for his 11th visit to the region since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. His visit comes amid rising tensions, following the killing of top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Washington is pushing for renewed cease-fire efforts, but the warring factions appear entrenched, showing little sign of relenting.
Blinken’s arrival was marked by fresh conflict, as Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets into central Israel, triggering air raid sirens in heavily populated areas, including near the international airport. The Israeli military reported that most of the projectiles were intercepted, with no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
Blinken’s itinerary includes meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. These discussions are part of Washington’s broader diplomatic push to bring an end to the fighting in Gaza, secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, and address the growing humanitarian crisis facing Palestinian civilians.
Escalating violence in Lebanon
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified in recent weeks, especially after Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon earlier this month. Hezbollah has escalated its attacks, firing rockets and missiles into northern and central Israel, while Israel has conducted a series of airstrikes across Lebanon.
In a particularly alarming development, 13 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes late Monday, which targeted buildings near Beirut’s largest public hospital, Rafik Hariri University Hospital. While the Israeli military claims it targeted a Hezbollah stronghold, it denies striking the hospital itself. The airstrikes caused extensive damage to the hospital’s pharmacy and dialysis center, with staff reporting chaos as patients flooded in seeking treatment amid the bombing.
Hospitals in Lebanon remain on high alert, fearing further attacks. The director of Sahel General Hospital, also in Beirut, recently refuted Israeli accusations that Hezbollah was hiding millions of dollars in cash and gold in its basement. Inviting journalists to inspect the premises, the hospital showed no signs of militant activity. Nevertheless, most patients have already been evacuated amid fears of a potential strike.
Diplomatic hurdles and cease-fire efforts
Blinken’s visit underscores Washington’s ongoing efforts to mediate the conflict. The US, along with Egypt and Qatar, has been working for months to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. These talks, however, have stalled, with both sides accusing the other of unreasonable demands.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated that Blinken will push for an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been severely impacted by Israel’s ongoing offensive. Last week, both Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged Israeli officials to allow more aid deliveries into Gaza. They warned that the Biden administration could be forced to curtail certain forms of military aid if humanitarian relief continues to be blocked.
While Blinken’s previous visits have yet to yield a long-term solution, they have contributed to improved aid delivery. However, Israeli officials have shown no sign of agreeing to a cease-fire without more substantial concessions from Hamas.
Iran’s influence and regional concerns
Iran, a key backer of both Hamas and Hezbollah, has stepped up its regional diplomacy ahead of a possible Israeli strike. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking in Kuwait on Tuesday, claimed that Gulf Arab nations had assured him they would not allow their territory to be used for any Israeli military action against Iran. These assurances, if accurate, could complicate Israel’s plans for retaliation after Iran’s ballistic missile attack on October 1.
The US has also been trying to prevent the conflict from spreading further. Efforts to negotiate a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah have so far failed, particularly after Israel’s strikes killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other senior commanders last month.
Ongoing war in Gaza
In Gaza, Israel has intensified its military campaign, leading to mounting casualties. Over the last two weeks, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes. Local health authorities estimate that more than 42,000 Palestinians have died since the start of the war, with women and children comprising over half of the fatalities. The Israeli military claims that its targets are Hamas militants, but the scale of destruction and loss of life has drawn sharp criticism from the international community.
The war, which began in October 2023 after Hamas militants launched a deadly raid into southern Israel, has displaced nearly 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. As Blinken’s latest diplomatic efforts unfold, the prospects for a cease-fire remain grim, with both Israel and its adversaries entrenched in a bloody and protracted conflict.
(With inputs from agencies)