Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to undertake his seventh diplomatic mission to the Middle East since hostilities began between Israel and Hamas, with the State Department confirming his visit to Saudi Arabia and a non-disclosed stop in Israel. As Blinken embarks on this trip, the region remains engulfed in turmoil, exacerbated by recent developments in Gaza that have led to massive casualties, displacement, and an imminent humanitarian crisis.
In Saudi Arabia, Blinken is scheduled to attend a World Economic Forum conference on Monday and engage with Arab foreign ministers in Riyadh. The objective is clear: to reinforce international efforts towards a cease-fire that would end the ongoing violence, particularly in Gaza.
The war’s toll has been devastating: over 34,000 Palestinians have perished, with hundreds of thousands more displaced. Gaza’s humanitarian situation deteriorates by the day, and the conflict has reached an alarming pitch following a suspected Israeli assault on Iran’s consulate in Syria, which drew a retaliatory response in the form of missile strikes, intensifying the regional tension.
U.S. attempts to broker a cease-fire have, to date, fallen short. Most recently, a proposal was tabled for a six-week halt to hostilities, coupled with the release of civilian and sick hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention. Hamas is currently reviewing an Israeli offer as Egypt amplifies its intermediary role in search of a resolution.
Blinken’s past efforts have been geared towards not only calming the conflict but also canvassing support for the reconstruction and future governance of Gaza. Simultaneously, he has been firm on America’s backing of Israel’s right to self-defense. Yet, the strategic approach has had its limits; although aid to Gaza has seen an uptick, the United Nations warns of an approaching famine, and Arab countries have only just started to rally behind the plans for Gaza’s rehabilitation.
The political repercussions of the Gaza offensive are felt within the U.S. as well, sparking pro-Palestinian demonstrations and ensuing debates over the nature of these protests. In the backdrop of such internal and external pressures, Blinken has actively counseled against a broad military offensive in Rafah by Israeli forces, a city where over a million Palestinians have sought refuge from the conflict.
According to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, Blinken’s conversations will focus on “ongoing efforts to achieve a cease-fire in Gaza that secures the release of hostages” and will highlight the hurdle Hamas poses in reaching a peaceful settlement. Moreover, Blinken is expected to underscore the need to prevent the conflict from further escalation and to affirm the quest for “lasting peace and security in the region,” which includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with assurances of Israel’s security.
Israel is plowing ahead with preparations to attack Rafah, and the conflict has escalated, in particular after a suspected Israeli attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria. Iran retaliated with drone, ballistic and cruise missile launches, provoking an apparent Israeli airstrike near a major air base and nuclear site in central Iran.
Relevant articles:
– Top Diplomat Blinken Will Visit the Mideast Again This Coming Week. What Can He Achieve This Time?, Military, 04/29/2024
– Blinken to visit the Mideast again this week. What can he achieve?, ABC News, Sat, 27 Apr 2024 18:23:38 GMT