Government circles: US Secretary of State Blinken to travel to Middle East again
It would be Blinken's fourth trip to the Middle East and his fifth visit to Israel since the attack on Israel by the Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas on 7 October. Blinken also accompanied US President Joe Biden on a visit to Israel in mid-October.
Since the beginning of the year, fears have been growing that the war between Israel and Hamas could escalate further. On Tuesday, Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Aruri was killed in Lebanon in a drone attack - which, according to US government sources, was carried out by Israel. On Wednesday, at least 95 people died in a bomb attack in the Iranian city of Kerman. An Iranian presidential advisor blamed Israel and the USA for the attack - Washington denied any responsibility.
The USA is Israel's most important ally. However, the government in Washington has also repeatedly expressed concern to Israel about the number of civilian victims of the war in the Gaza Strip. The US State Department has also criticized statements by ultra-right-wing Israeli ministers who have called for the return of Israeli settlers to the Gaza Strip and incentives for Palestinians to emigrate, among other things.
On October 7, hundreds of Hamas fighters attacked Israel in an unprecedented assault. Around 1140 people were killed and around 250 others were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip. Since then, Israel has been attacking targets in the Gaza Strip in a massive military campaign and has killed more than 22,300 people, according to the Hamas Ministry of Health, which cannot be independently verified.
Read also:
- This will change in December
- Fireworks and parties ring in 2024 - turn of the year overshadowed by conflicts
- Attacks on ships in the Red Sea: shipping companies avoid important trade route
- Expected costs of flood aid trigger new debate on debt brake
- Blinken's upcoming trip to the Middle East is causing renewed fear of an escalation in the conflict between Hamas and Israel, especially near the Gaza Strip, within the government circles.
- Despite being Israel's most important ally, the USA's government circle has voiced concerns about the number of civilian casualties due to the war in the Gaza Strip.
- Blinken's trip to the Middle East again will focus on the situation in the region, which was exacerbated by Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent Israeli military response near the Gaza Strip.
- Tensions between the USA and Israel have somewhat risen due to statements from ultra-right-wing Israeli ministers, advocating for the return of Israeli settlers to the Gaza Strip and incentives for Palestinians to emigrate, which the US State Department criticized.
- Following Hamas' attack on Israel, the USA and its Secretary of State Tony Blinken have expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself, but have urged for de-escalation to avoid further violence in and near the Gaza Strip.
- The US government is closely monitoring the developments in the Middle East and is in regular contact with both the Israeli and Palestinian governments to find solutions to end the conflict and prevent another escalation in the Gaza Strip.
- Fear of retaliation from Israel and further escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip remains high within the government circles, especially in light of Blinken's upcoming visit to Middle East and meetings with leaders of Hamas and other Palestine factions.
- In response to the drone attack in Lebanon that killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Aruri, US Secretary of State Blinken called on all parties to de-escalate the situation and seek a peaceful solution to the conflict in the Gaza Strip and the broader Middle East.
- The USA, along with other world powers, is pressuring both Israel and Hamas to engage in meaningful negotiations and to take measures to reduce tensions and prevent any further escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, benefiting peace and stability in the region and within the Government information.
Source: www.stern.de
