US Secretary of State Blinken visits Israel amid renewed ceasefire talks

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has touched down in Israel on Tuesday, marking his 11th visit since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.

His trip comes at a critical juncture as the U.S. seeks to revive ceasefire negotiations following the death of Yahya Sinwar, a key Hamas leader, and temper Israel’s planned military response against Iran.

Blinken is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials, including President Isaac Herzog and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, to discuss efforts to de-escalate the conflict. He will also meet with families of hostages held in Gaza.

The U.S. hopes Sinwar’s death could renew stalled negotiations over a potential ceasefire-hostage swap deal. While Sinwar had been a significant roadblock, no new discussions have been scheduled since his killing. A U.S. State Department spokesperson emphasized that Blinken’s priorities include halting the war, securing the release of hostages, and increasing humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Washington had warned Israel that failure to facilitate aid could lead to restrictions on military assistance.

While Blinken’s previous trips have yielded limited results in ending hostilities, his diplomatic efforts have significantly increased aid deliveries to Gaza.

His visit to Israel will be followed by stops in several Arab countries, including Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, to gather regional support for a ceasefire. However, regional dynamics are shifting, with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently securing assurances from Gulf nations that they would not support Israeli military action against Iran. “All the neighbors assured us that they will not allow their lands and air to be used against Iran,” Araghchi said.

Tensions with Iran loom large, especially after an Iranian missile strike on Israel earlier this month. An official traveling with Blinken said the U.S. would urge Israeli leaders to avoid any military action that could further escalate the conflict.

Meanwhile, Israel’s military faces a growing confrontation with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hours before Blinken’s arrival, Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on central Israel, prompting air raid sirens and military counterstrikes. Although no significant damage was reported, these attacks underscore the fragile situation. The U.S. is now exploring diplomatic solutions to halt Hezbollah’s involvement.

U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein, in parallel with Blinken’s efforts, is seeking to find a diplomatic resolution to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, stressing that the situation has “escalated out of control.” His talks with Lebanese officials focused on the possibility of revisiting UN Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war but has since been poorly enforced.

With Blinken’s tour underway, the U.S. aims to balance its support for Israel’s security with regional stability, attempting to steer away from a broader war that could entangle the entire Middle East.