US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Tuesday in a renewed push for a Gaza ceasefire, according to an AFP correspondent accompanying him. This comes days after Israeli forces murdered Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Blinken will see Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his regional tour, which begins exactly two weeks before the US elections, before traveling to Jordan on Wednesday, according to US authorities.
President Joe Biden expressed hope for a new opportunity to conclude the year-long Gaza war after Israel murdered Sinwar last week, whom US officials described as intransigent in discussions.
However, US officials discounted the likelihood of a cease-fire announcement during Blinken’s trip, citing the fact that Hamas has yet to pick a new leader.
According to a senior US official, Blinken will also speak with Israel’s leadership about the US ally’s planned reprisal against Iran for an October 1 missile bombardment on Israel.
The United States, which has provided a high-end THAAD missile defense system to Israel, expects Israel to strike Iran but wants for an operation that does not significantly increase regional violence, according to the official.
Blinken is also scheduled to speak with Israel about its military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which has extended to include strikes on financial targets related to the Iran-backed organization.
The US has not urged an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, but has expressed hope for an eventual “diplomatic solution” that ends the conflict and protects people.
The United States transfers billions of dollars in armaments to Israel each year, a critical flow that is expected to continue regardless of whether Vice President Kamala Harris or Donald Trump wins the November 5 election.
However, Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin cautioned Israel in a recent letter that the US was prepared to withhold some funding until it improved the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, where the UN has described the situation as terrible.
Trump has blasted Biden for asking Israel to exercise caution.