US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to outline ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and to address the broader risk of a widening conflict during his forthcoming trip to the Middle East, according to a statement from State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. The briefing was first reported by TASS.
In Miller’s remarks, it was noted that Blinken will also travel to Brussels this week to participate in the NATO foreign ministers meeting and to join the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council foreign ministers, as well as a meeting of the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers.
Furthermore, the spokesperson emphasized that Blinken will visit Israel and the West Bank. There, the discussions will cover Israel’s right to defend itself, the ongoing effort to secure the release of remaining hostages, and the protection of civilians amid Israel’s operations in the Gaza Strip. The talks will also address measures to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid. Additional topics will include the future of a Palestinian state and the imperative of preventing further spread of the conflict.
Media reporting from the Jerusalem Post indicated that Blinken’s visit to Israel is anticipated in the coming days. The coverage noted that this would mark Hamas’ fourth visit to the Jewish state since October 7, reflecting the continuing and evolving security dynamics in the region.
Earlier in November, Blinken took part in a meeting of G7 foreign ministers. The discussions touched on the need to avoid simply restoring the pre-crisis status quo and to consider what a sustainable regional arrangement should look like in the wake of Hamas’ assault on Israel.
On November 22, reports indicated a potential agreement between Israel and Hamas on the release of captives. The proposed first phase outlined a four‑day ceasefire and a prisoner exchange: about 50 Palestinians held in Israeli facilities would be exchanged for around 150 individuals held in Gaza. There is openness to extending the ceasefire in the second phase if more hostages are freed. Hamas also pledged to release two Russian women immediately after hostilities end.
There have been earlier reports about the Red Cross facilitating the movement of hostages with Russian citizenship, highlighting the multinational and humanitarian dimensions of these negotiations. (TASS)