Israel is currently engaged in combat against Hamas, which is backed by Iran, in Gaza, as well as Hezbollah in Lebanon. The country has committed to retaliating against Iran’s missile strike on October 1.
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In Lebanon, the Israeli military issued a new evacuation order for the southern city of Tyre on Wednesday, warning residents of impending operations aimed at Hezbollah. This announcement triggered another wave of displacement from the once-bustling coastal city.
“The situation is very bad, we’re evacuating people,” said Mortada Mhanna, who heads Tyre’s disaster management unit.
“You could say that the entire city of Tyre is being evacuated,” said Bilal Kashmar, the unit’s media officer.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s latest trip to the region marks his 11th visit since the onset of the Gaza conflict and his first since the recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hezbollah late last month.
The conflict in Gaza was ignited by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,206 individuals, predominantly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. In response, Israel’s military actions have led to the deaths of 42,718 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, as reported by the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, which the UN regards as credible.
“Since October 7 of last year, Israel has achieved many of its strategic objectives regarding Gaza. Now is the time to transform those achievements into lasting, strategic success,” Blinken stated as he concluded his meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other high-ranking officials in Israel.
Regarding humanitarian aid to Gaza, Blinken acknowledged that “progress is being made, which is encouraging, but more needs to be done, and, crucially, it must be sustained.”
On Israel’s commitment to retaliate for Iran’s missile strike on October 1, he emphasized, “It’s vital that Israel respond in ways that do not lead to further escalation.”
After his discussions in Israel, Blinken is set to visit Saudi Arabia, which has stalled negotiations for a normalization agreement with Israel until a Palestinian state is established. He urged Israel to capitalize on what he referred to as an “incredible opportunity” to advance a deal with Saudi Arabia.
Past US initiatives aimed at ending the Gaza war and managing its regional repercussions have largely fallen short, including a recent effort led by President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron to negotiate a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon.
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