US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will tour the countries of the Middle East to discuss conflict resolution in the region on October 21-25. This is stated in a written statement by the head of the State Department press service, Matthew Miller. "Blinken will visit Israel and other countries in the Middle East from October 21 to 25, 2024. In the region, Secretary of State Blinken will discuss the importance of ending the war in Gaza, releasing all hostages and easing the suffering of the Palestinian people "He will continue to discuss post-conflict planning and emphasize the need to chart a new path forward that will enable Palestinians to rebuild their lives and realize their aspirations, freed from the tyranny of Hamas," the diplomat said.
According to him, during his tour, the chief of American diplomacy "will emphasize that additional food, medicine and other humanitarian assistance must be delivered to the civilian population of Gaza." “The Secretary of State will also discuss the need for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite organization Hezbollah, which is fully consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and allows civilians on both sides of the Blue Line (the border between Lebanon and Israel based on the color of the helmets placed on UN peacekeepers - TASS note) to return to their homes. He will reaffirm the US commitment to working with partners across the region to de-escalate tensions and ensure sustainable stability," Miller concluded.
The situation in the Middle East sharply worsened after the infiltration of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, accompanied by the killing of residents of border settlements and the taking of hostages. Hamas called this attack a response to the actions of the Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. Israel announced a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip and began striking the Palestinian enclave and parts of Lebanon and Syria.
According to him, during his tour, the chief of American diplomacy "will emphasize that additional food, medicine and other humanitarian assistance must be delivered to the civilian population of Gaza." “The Secretary of State will also discuss the need for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite organization Hezbollah, which is fully consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and allows civilians on both sides of the Blue Line (the border between Lebanon and Israel based on the color of the helmets placed on UN peacekeepers - TASS note) to return to their homes. He will reaffirm the US commitment to working with partners across the region to de-escalate tensions and ensure sustainable stability," Miller concluded.
The situation in the Middle East sharply worsened after the infiltration of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, accompanied by the killing of residents of border settlements and the taking of hostages. Hamas called this attack a response to the actions of the Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. Israel announced a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip and began striking the Palestinian enclave and parts of Lebanon and Syria.
