Blinken to visit Israel on Mideast tour aimed at preventing regional war

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will depart on Tuesday for a Middle East tour aimed at securing a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas while at the same time preventing a wider war in the region, according to Axios reporter Barak Ravid.

The top American diplomat will reportedly visit Israel, Egypt and Qatar.

Ravid noted that the trip could still be postponed if Iran chooses to attack the Jewish state directly ahead of Blinken’s anticipated departure.

On Monday, Blinken spoke to his Turkish counterpart “about the importance of Hamas’s return to negotiations on August 15 to finalize the framework for achieving an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, securing the release of all hostages, and ending the war,” according to a State Department readout of their call.