Explorer

'Conflict Shouldn't Escalate Beyond Gaza': Blinken During 4th Middle East Tour

US Secretary of States Antony Blinken stressed that it is in the best interest of all involved to avoid escalating the conflict or allowing it to extend beyond Gaza.

During his recent tour of the Middle East, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasised that he aims to ensure that the conflict in the Middle East "doesn't spread" while engaging in discussions during his visits to Turkey and Greece. This marks Blinken’s fourth diplomatic tour since the Israel-Hamas war erupted three months ago.

Blinken convened with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Crete following an extensive meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul earlier the same day.

Expressing concerns about the Israel-Lebanon border, Blinken asserted the importance of all efforts to prevent any escalation, highlighting this during remarks to journalists in Crete after the meeting.

"One of the real concerns is the border between Israel and Lebanon, and we want to do everything possible to make sure we see no escalation," he was quoted by AFP.

He stressed that it is in the best interest of all involved to avoid escalating the conflict or allowing it to extend beyond Gaza.

This comes after Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah engaged in intense cross-border exchanges on Saturday, marking one of the most significant days of recent weeks' conflicts. The escalation occurred a day after the leader of the militia, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, called for retaliation following the targeted killing—presumably by Israel—of Saleh Arouri, Hamas' deputy political leader, in Lebanon's capital.

ALSO READ: Hezbollah Fires 60 Rockets At Israel As 'Initial Response' To Killing Of Top Hamas Leader

Blinken initiated his recent Middle East journey in Turkey, where the Biden administration believes there is potential influence, especially concerning Iran and its proxies, to alleviate concerns of a regional crisis. Recent incidents in the Red Sea, Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran have heightened these fears. Notably, a drone launched by the Houthi militant group in Yemen, controlled by them, was shot down by the U.S. destroyer Laboon near commercial vessels in the Red Sea, as reported by the US Central Command.

During discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Blinken sought support for emerging plans for post-war Gaza. These plans could involve financial or in-kind contributions to reconstruction efforts and potential participation in a proposed multinational force operating in or near the territory.

Subsequently, Blinken visited Greece, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally and Turkish rival, meeting Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who has been supportive of U.S. efforts to prevent the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Other stops in Blinken's itinerary include Jordan, followed by visits to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. His agenda includes a visit to Israel and the West Bank before concluding the trip in Egypt.

The EU's foreign policy chief is also set to visit Saudi Arabia, aiming to kick-start a European-Arab initiative that aims to revive a peace process leading to a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

Caste Census, Rs 3,000 For Women, Unemployment Allowance: Congress Announces 5 Guarantees For Maharashtra
Caste Census, Rs 3,000 For Women, Unemployment Allowance: Congress' 5 Guarantees For Maharashtra
Viral Video: Delhi Woman Uses Toxic Yamuna Foam As Shampoo To Wash Hair During Chhath Puja
Viral Video: Delhi Woman Uses Toxic Yamuna Foam As Shampoo To Wash Hair During Chhath Puja
Bahraich Violence: Allahabad HC Poses 4 Questions To UP Govt Over 'Buldozer Action'
Bahraich Violence: Allahabad HC Poses 4 Questions To UP Govt Over 'Buldozer Action'
'Surrounded By Urban Naxals, Less Of A Congressman': Fadnavis Slams Rahul Gandhi Over Red-Covered Constitution
'Surrounded By Urban Naxals, Less Of A Congressman': Fadnavis Slams Rahul Gandhi Over Red-Covered Constitution
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

US Presidential Election 2024: 'I Will Fight for Your Future' Says Trump After Election VictoryUS Presidential Election 2024: 'Thank You to the American People,' Says Donald Trump After VictoryUS Presidential Election 2024: Donald Trump’s Address After VictoryUS Presidential Election 2024: 'We Will Make America Great Again,' Says Donald Trump After Victory

Photo Gallery

Embed widget