WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on his fourth trip to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas conflict began.
The visit aims to address challenging issues, including providing immediate aid to the battered Gaza Strip and promoting regional de-escalation. Blinken plans to visit Israel, the West Bank, and five Arab countries, including Turkey and Greece.
The primary focus of the trip is to discuss measures for substantially increasing humanitarian assistance to Gaza, where the World Health Organization has warned of famine and disease risks. The Biden administration, while supporting Israel, has also expressed concerns over the impact on civilians in Gaza.
Blinken’s visit comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with recent attacks in or from Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and Iran. A strike in Lebanon, widely attributed to Israel, killed a top Hamas leader. Meanwhile, Huthi targeted ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Gaza.
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Efforts to de-escalate tensions in the West Bank and prevent further escalation in Lebanon and Iran will be on the agenda. Blinken’s trip occurs following a deadly attack in Iran, initially blamed on the US and Israel, though the Islamic State later claimed responsibility.
The Biden administration has been a key supporter of Israel, exercising its veto against ceasefire calls at the UN Security Council. However, concerns have been raised about the civilian toll in Gaza, prompting efforts to provide aid and coax Israel on certain issues.
The visit includes discussions on the potential sale of advanced F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, a historic adversary of Greece. The Biden administration is expected to offer the jets contingent on Turkey’s approval of NATO membership for Sweden.
While the visit aims to address humanitarian concerns and regional stability, the complex dynamics in the Middle East present challenges, and the outcomes of the discussions remain uncertain.
