Top US diplomat set to return to the Mideast for 5th time since Gaza conflict began
Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return to the Middle East later this week on his fifth urgent diplomatic mission to the region since Israel's war with Hamas began in October
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return to the Middle East later this week on his fifth urgent diplomatic mission since I srael’s war with Hamas began in October, the White House and a State Department official said Wednesday.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby and the State Department official said Blinken would travel to the Mideast this weekend as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to prepare for post-conflict reconstruction and governance of Gaza, ramp up humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, release hostages held by Hamas and prevent the war from spreading.
The trip comes as discussions over a cease-fire and hostage release are intensifying, but also as fears grow of a regional conflict.
“These negotiations, our negotiations, are very, very active," Kirby said, noting talks held last weekend between CIA Director William Burns, senior Israeli and Egyptian intelligence officials and Qatar's prime minister. “We believe that the discussions have been productive. They’ve been moving in the right direction.”
