WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has embarked on a diplomatic tour to the Middle East in a bid to address the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas. The tour, marking Blinken’s fifth visit to the region since the outbreak of hostilities triggered by Hamas’s October 7 attack, aims to secure a new truce and urgently address humanitarian needs in Gaza.
Blinken is expected to visit Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt, and Qatar during this diplomatic mission. Ahead of the trip, he emphasized the crucial need to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Aid groups have consistently raised alarms about the devastating impact on the besieged territory during nearly five months of war.
Southern Gaza, particularly the city of Rafah on the border with Egypt, has witnessed persistent fighting, and Blinken’s visit comes amidst pressing concerns about the deteriorating conditions. The UN has described Rafah as a “pressure cooker of despair,” hosting over half of Gaza’s 2.4 million people who were displaced due to Israel’s assault.
Said Hamouda, a Palestinian who fled his home in Gaza to Rafah, shared the indescribable situation faced by the people in the region. Regardless of financial status, individuals are grappling with the harsh reality of the conflict.
Over the weekend, Israel extended its military operations further south, nearing the border city of Rafah. Israeli authorities issued warnings about potential ground advances in Rafah as part of their ongoing campaign to eradicate Hamas.
The health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza reported at least 127 people killed in Israeli strikes in the preceding 24 hours, with a Rafah kindergarten housing families being among the targets. As Blinken engages in diplomatic efforts, the focus remains on de-escalating tensions, securing a new truce, and addressing the urgent humanitarian needs in the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip.
