Blinken heads to Israel in hopes of ceasefire progress

US secretary of state Antony Blinken is heading to the Middle East, making his 11th trip to the region since the war in Gaza erupted last year and as Israel steps up attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon and operations in the Gaza Strip.

- MATTHEW LEE

The state department said Mr Blinken would depart for a weeklong trip to Israel and a number of Arab countries on a visit that also comes as Israel weighs retaliation against Iran for a ballistic missile attack earlier this month. His other stops are likely to include Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, officials say.

The trip had been expected after president Joe Biden said last week he would dispatch Mr Blinken to the region following Israel’s killing of Hamas military chief Yahya Sinwar, a move that some believe could open a window for new talks on a ceasefire proposal that has been languishing for months.

In Israel today, Mr Blinken is due to meet prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and president Isaac Herzog, according to Israeli officials. “Secretary Blinken will discuss the importance of bringing the war in Gaza to an end, securing the release of all hostages, and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people,” state department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Mr Blinken will discuss planning for when the conflict ends and “the need to chart a new path forward that enables Palestinians to rebuild their lives”, Mr Miller added.