US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Middle East nations to use their influence to contain the Gaza conflict and prevent an “endless cycle of violence” during his week-long diplomatic trip, The Guardian reports.
Blinken is on a week-long trip to the region that aims to ease tensions and explore ways to protect civilians in Gaza while increasing humanitarian assistance. He made these comments amid rising tensions, including rocket attacks by Lebanon’s Hezbollah on Israel in response to the killing of a senior Hamas leader in Beirut.
The ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel has resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and 240 hostages during the initial incursion, and an estimated 22,700 Palestinian deaths following Israel’s retaliatory offensive. The Israeli army claims to have dismantled Hamas’s command structure in northern Gaza and is now moving into central and southern regions.
Blinken is expected to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ensure the protection of Gaza civilians and allow more aid. Turkey has committed to playing a positive role in post-war Gaza, while France’s foreign minister emphasized the need for Iran and its affiliates to stop destabilizing acts in the region.
