This Tuesday, the United States secretary of state, Antony Blinken, met with Israeli leaders amid escalating tension on the northern border. Israel’s military had responded to strikes from Hezbollah with air assaults to the south, using drones that caused no casualties in Lebanon. In the exchange, officials noted three Hezbollah members were killed near the border town of Ghandooriyyeh, about 10 kilometers from Lebanon. Blinken urged Israeli leaders to protect civilians and to keep open a path toward Palestinian statehood. The American diplomat, on his fourth trip to the region since October 7, discussed steps to reduce violence with senior representatives in Israel and to lower regional escalation.
“There is much to discuss about the path forward,” Blinken said after meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The secretary of state arrived on a tour that marked his most comprehensive visit yet, his fourth since Hamas attacked on October 7, following stops in Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. President Joe Biden conveyed messages from other regional leaders as well. “We all feel a stake in shaping the path forward,” Blinken asserted, referencing the need to stabilize the region in the wake of the Gaza war. He also held renewed talks with Israel’s war cabinet and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A State Department spokesperson reiterated that Washington supports Israel’s right to counter the October 7 attacks while stressing the importance of protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza, according to officials.
Permanent stability
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told Blinken that Israel will intensify operations in the region, extending further into southern Gaza until Hamas figures are located and Israeli hostages are released. Gallant outlined steps the United States could take to avoid the most dangerous scenarios, noting the rising pressure on Iran. He said this is essential to prevent broader regional tensions.
A day after the death of senior Hezbollah commander Wisam al-Tauil in a drone strike, another drone targeted a vehicle during a funeral procession, claiming more lives. Lebanese militias retaliated by attacking an Israeli military command center in response to the losses sustained by Hamas, including the death of its number two, Salih al-Aruri, and Hezbollah commander Radwan. The main mission of Hezbollah’s elite units is to infiltrate Israeli territory.
Lebanon’s interim prime minister, Najib Mikati, told Blinken during a meeting with United Nations peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix in Beirut that negotiations toward a long-term stability process in the south are under consideration. Mikati emphasized the desire for a permanent peaceful solution, while noting warnings from international ambassadors about the risk of war with Lebanon. In the region, local militias in northern Israel received equipment such as bulletproof vests and helmets to bolster civilian defense in tense conditions.
Journalists without access to Gaza
The Gaza Strip continues to face an imminent humanitarian crisis, according to health authorities. They warned of hunger, dehydration, and disease among Palestinians displaced by the fighting. In the war’s 95th day, the area saw continued bombardment and military actions. The health ministry reported casualties including dozens killed and many injured, with some people trapped under rubble as ambulances and civil defense teams struggled to reach them due to damaged roadways.
The Israeli Supreme Court recently rejected a request from the International Press Association in Jerusalem to grant journalists independent access to Gaza reporting. While the court acknowledged the general need for press freedom, it cited current security conditions and the risk of exposing troops to information about locations. For more than three months, journalists have faced barriers in entering Palestinian areas without being embedded with Israeli forces, complicating efforts to document events on the ground in Gaza.