U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced plans to travel to Israel on Friday to consult with Israeli officials about their ongoing war on Hamas. The trip comes as the conflict enters its second month, with no sign of a ceasefire or a diplomatic breakthrough.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Tuesday that Blinken would visit Israel “and then will make other stops in the region.” He did not identify the other planned stops, but said that Blinken would “continue to engage with regional partners on the urgent need to end the violence and restore calm.”
Blinken made an urgent trip to the Middle East earlier this month, visiting Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. He met with leaders from both sides of the conflict, as well as regional allies and mediators. He also announced $360 million in humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, including $38 million for Gaza.
However, his efforts failed to produce a lasting truce or a political solution. The fighting has continued unabated, with Hamas firing rockets at Israeli cities and towns, and Israel launching airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza. According to the latest figures from the United Nations, more than 3,000 Palestinians and 400 Israelis have been killed since October 7, 2023, when the war began. Thousands more have been injured and displaced.
Blinken’s second visit to Israel is seen as a sign of Washington’s growing concern and frustration over the situation. The Biden administration has faced criticism from some members of Congress and human rights groups for not doing enough to pressure Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza, which have caused widespread civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. The administration has also faced challenges from some Arab countries, such as Qatar and Turkey, which have supported Hamas and condemned Israel.
Blinken has said that the U.S. supports Israel’s right to defend itself from Hamas’ rockets, but also calls for a proportionate response and respect for international law. He has also said that the U.S. supports a two-state solution as the only way to achieve a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
“The United States remains committed to working with our partners to advance the cause of peace,” Blinken said in a statement on Monday. “We urge all parties to take steps to de-escalate the situation and prevent further loss of life.”
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