US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to make a return visit to the Middle East on Wednesday as part of continued efforts to broker a truce in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Despite previous unsuccessful attempts to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip before the start of Ramadan, fresh negotiations hosted by Qatar are now underway.
The situation on the ground remains dire, with no signs of the conflict abating. The devastating war has left much of the Gaza Strip in ruins, leading to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians seeking refuge in the southern part of the besieged territory.
The conflict, which began with an unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7, has resulted in approximately 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians.
Israel has responded with a relentless offensive, resulting in the deaths of at least 31,819 people, a majority of whom are women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
As the war enters its sixth month, the United States, a key ally of Israel, has urged for an increase in humanitarian aid flow into Gaza.
Secretary of State Blinken is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and Egypt on Thursday, the latter being involved in previous mediation efforts.
Blinken recently highlighted the severe food insecurity facing the people of Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance. A United Nations-backed assessment has warned that without a significant increase in aid, 300,000 people in the territory’s north could face famine by May.
