Blinken Plans Trip to Israel Amid Escalating Concerns of Regional Conflict

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to the Middle East this Thursday, amidst growing concerns that the conflict between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas might escalate regionally. This visit follows recent deadly incidents in Iran and the assassination of a Hamas leader in Lebanon.

A U.S. official, who chose to remain anonymous, confirmed Blinken’s upcoming trip, his fourth to the region since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. While details of his itinerary are sparse, a stop in Israel is confirmed.

The context for Blinken’s visit includes twin explosions in Iran, near the grave of a Revolutionary Guards general, which resulted in at least 95 deaths and over 200 injuries. Tehran quickly pointed fingers at the United States and Israel, accusations Washington denies.

Further intensifying the situation, a strike in a Beirut suburb, not claimed by any party, resulted in the death of Hamas’s deputy leader. A U.S. official informed AFP that Israel was responsible for this action.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed widespread concerns about the potential escalation of the Israel-Hamas war. Simultaneously, Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi, on a visit to the Lebanese border, stated Israeli forces were highly prepared.

In Yemen, the U.S. and allies have warned the Houthi rebels, supporters of Hamas, against continuing attacks on Red Sea shipping, hinting at severe consequences.

The bombings in Iran coincided with commemorations for Qasem Soleimani, a slain Revolutionary Guards general. Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed a strong response to these attacks, blaming “evil and criminal enemies.”

Israel and Iran’s long-standing animosity has been heightened by the current war and associated violence in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Iran also attributes a December strike in Syria, which killed a Quds Force senior commander, to Israel.

While a broader war has been averted so far, these recent events have unnerved global markets, notably impacting oil prices.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah condemned the killing of Hamas operatives, including Arouri, as a significant assault, promising it would not go unaddressed. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel against a full-scale war but noted Israel’s focus on Hamas rather than Lebanon or Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, Israel continued its offensive in Gaza, targeting areas in Gaza City and Khan Younis. Strikes in Deir al-Balah and the Al-Maghazi refugee camp resulted in casualties and destruction, with local residents expressing despair and questioning the rationale behind the attacks on civilian areas.