US Secretary of State Blinken launches fourth middle east trip amidst Gaza aid, escalation talks

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on his fourth journey to the Middle East since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Anticipating challenging discussions, Blinken aims to secure immediate aid for Gaza and promote regional de-escalation.

During his visit, Blinken is set to engage with key stakeholders, including Israel, the West Bank, and five Arab nations—Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The primary focus will be on addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the World Health Organization has warned of potential famine and disease outbreaks.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller acknowledged the difficulty of the discussions, stating, “We don’t expect every conversation on this trip to be easy. There are obviously tough issues facing the region and difficult choices ahead.”

Blinken, who previously sought to confine the conflict to Gaza, returns to a region witnessing incidents in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and Iran. A recent strike in Lebanon, presumed to be carried out by Israel, claimed the life of a top Hamas leader, while Iran-backed Huthi rebels targeted ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Gaza.

In a pre-trip call with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, Blinken committed to “de-escalate tensions in the West Bank and to avoid escalation in Lebanon and Iran.”

The visit comes amid increased tensions in the region, with Iran experiencing a deadly attack that initially led to blame on Israel and the United States. However, the Islamic State group later claimed responsibility.

President Joe Biden’s administration has been a crucial supporter of Israel, but it has faced criticism for vetoing UN Security Council ceasefire calls. Blinken recently bypassed Congress to expedite weapons delivery to Israel, reflecting the complex dynamics at play.

Biden has expressed frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties. The Biden administration has influenced Israel on aid issues, but challenges persist, including far-right calls for mass Palestinian exodus from Gaza.

Blinken is expected to address various issues during his visit, including urging Israel to cease blocking the transfer of tax revenue to the Palestinian Authority. The Biden administration envisions a role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza’s future, but Netanyahu opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The trip also includes a brief stop in Greece, concerned about the potential US sale of advanced F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, its historical adversary. The sale is contingent on Turkey approving NATO membership for Sweden, a decision linked to geopolitical considerations and regional dynamics.