Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will depart on Monday for a trip to the Middle East, which will include a stop in Israel, as the Biden administration seeks to restore calm in the region following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
This marks Mr. Blinken's 11th visit to the region since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. He is returning to Israel after omitting it from his previous trip a month ago. The State Department has not specified which other countries Mr. Blinken will visit, although his past itineraries have included Egypt, Jordan, and Gulf Arab states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
U.S. officials, including President Biden, suggest that Mr. Sinwar’s death may present new diplomatic opportunities, particularly regarding the long-stalled efforts to establish a cease-fire in Gaza. Such a cease-fire could facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas and enable increased humanitarian aid to Palestinians. However, both Hamas and Israeli leaders have pledged to continue their military actions, leading many analysts to question the feasibility of a diplomatic resolution.
Mr. Blinken's arrival coincides with heightened tensions as Israel prepares for potential retaliatory strikes against Iran following an Iranian missile barrage earlier this month. Discussions between American and Israeli officials have focused on the appropriate response, with assurances from Israeli officials that they will avoid targeting Iranian nuclear or energy sites to prevent significant escalation.
During his trip, Mr. Blinken will address several key issues, including the governance and security of Gaza post-Israel's military operations. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller indicated that this topic has been a focal point of discussions between Mr. Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Additionally, as Israel continues its military actions in southern Lebanon against the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah, Mr. Blinken will emphasize the importance of achieving a diplomatic resolution to this conflict.
The Biden administration has been engaged for over two years in efforts to establish a broader regional agreement that would see Saudi Arabia and Israel formalize diplomatic relations, contingent upon Israel's commitment to a Palestinian state and a U.S. security agreement with Saudi Arabia. However, with ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, the likelihood of such an agreement during Mr. Biden's presidency appears limited, though Mr. Blinken has maintained that it remains a realistic objective.