U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made his 11th visit to the region since the onset of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. His visit coincides with Iran's ballistic missile attack on October 1. Blinken is expected to address this issue and respond to the situation.
During his stay, Lebanon's Ministry of Health reported that at least 13 people were killed in an Israeli attack near a major hospital in Beirut. The attack also left 57 injured, seven of them in critical condition.
Upon arriving in Israel, Blinken encountered a new episode of tension as Hamas launched rockets towards the center of the country and its international airport. Fortunately, no injuries or significant material damage were reported. The Israeli army intercepted most of the projectiles.
During his visit, Blinken has scheduled meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other prominent leaders. He is expected to discuss the need to end the conflict in Gaza, free the hostages, and relieve the suffering of the Palestinian people. The planning for the end of the conflict and the rebuilding of the lives of the affected Palestinians will also be addressed.
Discussions between Israel and Hamas, mediated by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, have sought an agreement that would free the hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners. However, these efforts have been hampered by new demands from both parties, keeping the situation at a standstill.
Despite attempts to achieve a ceasefire, violence continues both in Gaza and Lebanon, where Israel has responded harshly to the attacks. Blinken, with his extensive experience in the region, is expected to contribute to resuming efforts to achieve peace and stop the escalation of violence.
