Blinken begins 11th visit to Middle East for peace in Gaza and Lebanon

By AJP Posted : October 22, 2024, 10:38 Updated : October 22, 2024, 10:38
 
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves while boarding a plane headed to the Middle East departing from Joint Base Andrews Maryland US on Oct 21 2024
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he boards a plane to the Middle East, departing from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Oct. 21, 2024. AP-Yonhap
SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to the Middle East on Monday to push for a ceasefire and revive peace talks aimed at ending the Gaza war and containing the conflict in Lebanon. This visit is his 11th trip since Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which sparked the war. Israel is intensifying its military operations against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both backed by Iran.

On Monday, Israeli strikes in southern Beirut, near Rafik Hariri University Hospital, killed four people, including a child, and injured 24. Israel's military did not immediately comment. Over the past month, Israel has targeted key Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, including the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, but Israeli officials say their military campaign will continue until Hamas is no longer a threat. Iran and its allies have vowed to strengthen their resistance after Sinwar's death.

Blinken's discussions will focus on ending the Gaza war, preparing a post-conflict plan for the region, and finding a diplomatic solution to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein met with Lebanese officials to discuss ceasefire conditions, emphasizing the need for better implementation of UN Resolution 1701, which calls for a demilitarized southern Lebanon.

Israel's military has been targeting Hezbollah's financial network, including the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association. In Syria, Israeli strikes reportedly killed a Hezbollah financial leader. Lebanon's health ministry said that since the conflict began, 2,483 people have been killed, with over 11,600 injured.

In northern Israel and the Golan Heights, 59 people have died due to cross-border attacks. The ongoing violence has displaced 1.2 million people in Lebanon, with Israel aiming to push Hezbollah from the border to allow displaced Israelis to return home.
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