TEL AVIV: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said that “now is the time” to end the ongoing war in Gaza, and urged Israel to avoid further regional escalation with Iran. Meanwhile, Israel continued the ongoing relentless bombardment campaign in Gaza and Lebanon, further escalating regional tension.
Israel is fighting Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon and has pledged to hit back against Iran’s October 1 missile strike. Blinken warned against actions that could deepen the conflict.
Speaking on Wednesday during his 11th visit to the region since the war began, Blinken called for the end of hostilities, saying, “Now is the time to turn Israel’s strategic successes into enduring achievements.” Previous US efforts to end the Gaza war and contain the regional fallout have failed.
Blinken’s visit follows meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top officials, where he reiterated the need to halt violence and focus on long-term security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
In Lebanon, tensions escalated as Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in Tyre and warned residents to flee the area. Israeli airstrikes hit several areas in the coastal city. The strikes led to widespread evacuations as Tyre’s disaster management unit described the situation as dire.
“You could say that the entire city of Tyre is being evacuated,” said Bilal Kashmar, media officer for the disaster unit. Footage from AFPTV showed thick black smoke rising over the city as airstrikes intensified.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues rocket attacks on Israeli military bases. The conflict in Lebanon has killed 1,552 people since late September, according to Lebanese health officials.
Blinken’s diplomatic efforts to end the Gaza war and curb regional spillovers have faced significant challenges. Since October 7, 2023, Israel has launched a relentless bombardment campaign in Gaza killing more than 42,718 Palestinians, mostly women and children, local health authorities said.
Blinken also addressed Israel’s pledge to respond to Iran’s October 1 missile strike. He warned that retaliation must not exacerbate the situation, saying, “It’s very important that Israel respond in ways that do not create greater escalation.”
With a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Blinken stressed the need to increase aid to the region. He acknowledged progress in delivering aid but emphasized the need for sustained efforts to assist civilians trapped in conflict zones, particularly in northern Gaza, where Israel’s ground assault has intensified.
The Kamal Adwan Hospital, the only functioning medical facility in the area, is critically undersupplied and unable to treat the rising number of casualties.
Blinken will continue his regional tour with visits seeking further diplomatic solutions to the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. Blinken will then visit Qatar and Britain, where he will hold talks with Arab counterparts on the Gaza and Lebanon wars.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization said it was forced to postpone the last phase of a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza due to “intense Israeli bombardment” and violence in the north.
