As U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Israel for a critical visit, Gaza faces escalating violence with ongoing Israeli airstrikes and rising casualties. Meanwhile, Hezbollah launches rockets into northern Israel, further heightening tensions. Blinken’s mission aims to secure a ceasefi
In a critical juncture in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made his 10th visit to Israel since the war began in October 2023. His visit is part of efforts to ramp up political pressure towards achieving a Gaza ceasefire and a captive-prisoner exchange deal. Blinken’s arrival coincides with continued intense Israeli military operations in Gaza, leading to significant casualties and a deteriorating humanitarian situation.
Key Events and Developments:
Blinken’s Visit and U.S. Diplomacy:
- Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, has landed in Tel Aviv as part of diplomatic efforts to push for a ceasefire and a captive-prisoner exchange deal in Gaza.
- This marks his 10th visit to Israel since the conflict erupted in October 2023.
- Blinken is scheduled to meet with Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, before continuing his trip to Egypt, where negotiations are ongoing in Cairo.
Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza:
- Israeli military operations continue to result in heavy casualties in the Gaza Strip. At least nine Palestinians were killed, and dozens more were injured following Israeli airstrikes targeting the central Gaza Strip.
- Over the last 24 hours, the bombardment has killed at least 25 Palestinians, including eight members of the same family in Deir el-Balah, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry.
- The ongoing conflict has led to the deaths of at least 40,099 Palestinians and injured 92,609 others in Gaza. On the Israeli side, 1,139 Israelis were killed during the October 7 Hamas-led attacks, with more than 200 people taken captive.
Statements from Key Officials:
- Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Al Jazeera that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains the primary obstacle to reaching a ceasefire and captive exchange deal. Despite this, Israeli negotiators expressed “cautious optimism” after two days of truce talks in Qatar.
- Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant visited the Nevatim Airbase, where he met with Israeli fighter pilots and remarked, “The [Israeli army]’s ability to attack anywhere and at any distance gives it the ability to make decisions, even if there is a risk in them and provided that the reason is appropriate.”
- Ceasefire negotiations are expected to resume in Cairo in the coming days after two days of discussions in Doha. The talks come amid escalating violence and a worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Escalating Humanitarian Crisis:
- Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) warned that it might have to halt services in Gaza City and North Gaza due to a severe fuel shortage. This shortage is critical for operating ambulances, emergency clinics, and relief services.
- The PRCS stated, “The depletion of fuel will also cause electricity generators at clinics and medical points – nine in total across the two governorates – to shut down. This will lead to medication spoilage, the stoppage of laboratory equipment, and a complete halt in services at clinics that serve thousands of citizens.”
Further Israeli Attacks and Displacement:
- Israeli airstrikes continue to claim lives in Gaza, including the killing of seven Palestinians in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Thousands of Palestinians have fled their homes, including those in the so-called “humanitarian zone” in Maghazi.
- Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza reported it would cease operations within 24 hours due to a lack of fuel and medicine. Similarly, Kuwaiti Hospital in Rafah has already stopped conducting surgeries.
International and Regional Reactions:
- In southern Lebanon, three UNIFIL peacekeepers were injured in an explosion near their UN vehicle, reportedly due to an Israeli airstrike.
- UNIFIL has approximately 10,000 peacekeepers tasked with monitoring the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel along the Blue Line.
- Established in 1978, UNIFIL’s mandate expanded post the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which demands respect for the border and disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon.
- The Israeli military later confirmed an air attack on southern Lebanon’s Shebaa area, targeting a Hezbollah cell, and also claimed to have destroyed a weapons warehouse used by Hezbollah. Hezbollah responded by launching rockets into northern Israel.
Israeli Government Actions in the West Bank:
- Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visited areas near Bethlehem, pledging a wave of demolitions on Palestinian homes and infrastructure, including on a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Norwegian Refugee Council condemned this, highlighting the significance of the timing amidst ceasefire negotiations.
- Palestinian Foreign Ministry expressed grave concern over the forced displacement of Bedouin communities in the West Bank, particularly in Masafer Yatta and the Jordan Valley. The ministry described these actions as “ethnic cleansing” and called for international sanctions against Israeli ministers like Smotrich and Ben-Gvir.
