WASHINGTON, USA: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has postponed his scheduled departure to the Middle East, originally set for Tuesday, due to ongoing uncertainty in the region, according to Axios. The delay comes as tensions escalate, with Hamas firing rockets at Tel Aviv for the first time in months and Israel responding with deadly airstrikes in Gaza.
Despite the rising violence, US officials indicated that ceasefire talks planned for Thursday are still expected to proceed. In the meantime, Blinken has approved significant arms sales to Israel, including F-15 fighter jets and other military equipment valued at over $20 billion. The sales package also includes nearly $774 million worth of tank cartridges and $583 million in army vehicles, with some of the equipment available for immediate delivery.
As the US continues to support Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas, efforts are also being made to broker a ceasefire that could prevent a broader war in the Middle East. The recent killings of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut have further fueled fears of wider regional conflict, with threats of retaliation against Israel looming.
