Blinken set for fifth visit to 'Israel' since October 7: Reports

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
27 Dec 2023 16:33
1 Shares

A new report citing Israeli and Arab officials hints at a possible Middle East trip by US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, by the end of next week.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives statements to the media after a meeting in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, on Monday, January 30, 2023. (AP)

A Middle East tour is expected by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken by the end of next week according to an Axios report that cited Israeli and Arab officials.

The visit will aim to continue talks regarding the Israeli occupation's genocide in the Gaza Strip, and will include stops in the occupied West Bank, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar, according to the report.

This will also constitute Blinken's fifth visit to "Tel Aviv" since the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7.

US, 'Israel' discuss shifting phases of war on Gaza: US official

Earlier on Tuesday, a senior White House official revealed details behind the meeting that took place between Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, from one side, with Blinken and the US National Security Advisor, from another, during Dermer's visit to Washington.

During the meeting, the US and Israeli delegations discussed "the transition to a different phase of the [Israeli war on Gaza] to maximize focus on high-value Hamas targets," the official who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed.

Dermer is known to be Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's closest confident, and the visit comes at a time when the Biden administration is looking to change the course of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, according to a report published earlier by Axios.

The US is reportedly pushing the Israeli political command to opt for "surgical operations" within the Gaza Strip, rather than a full-fledged attempt to advance to the cities of the Gaza Strip.