U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that "now is the time" to end the Gaza conflict and urged Israel to avoid escalating tensions with Iran. Israel is currently fighting against Iran-supported groups, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and plans to retaliate for an Iranian missile strike.
In Lebanon, state media reported that an Israeli drone hit Tyre after residents were warned to leave parts of the city due to upcoming operations against Hezbollah. This sparked an evacuation, with officials saying almost the entire city was being emptied. Footage showed thick black smoke rising after the strike.
Blinken's visit to the region is his 11th since the Gaza war began and his first since violence between Israel and Hezbollah intensified last month. The Gaza war started with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,206 people, mostly civilians. In response, Israel's offensive in Gaza has killed 42,718 people, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry, with figures considered reliable by the UN.
Blinken noted that since last October, Israel has achieved most of its strategic goals in Gaza. He urged Israel to turn these achievements into lasting success, while also emphasizing the need for continued progress in delivering aid to Gaza.
Regarding Israel's plans to respond to Iran's missile attack, Blinken advised caution to avoid further escalation. After Israel, Blinken will visit Saudi Arabia, which has delayed talks on normalizing relations with Israel until a Palestinian state is established. He encouraged Israel to take advantage of this "incredible opportunity" to advance a deal with Saudi Arabia.
Previous U.S. efforts to end the Gaza conflict and limit regional impact, including a ceasefire attempt led by President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, have not been successful.
