"Blinken's Middle East Mission: Aiming to De-escalate Israel-Gaza Conflict"
U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken is embarking on a Middle East diplomatic tour to address the escalating conflict in Gaza and prevent it from widening into a broader regional war. The tour includes stops in Israel, the West Bank, and Egypt, amid heightened tensions following the assassination of a Hamas leader and attacks in the region. Blinken will also discuss humanitarian aid for Gaza and the release of hostages. Concurrently, unauthorized settler activity in the West Bank has surged, adding to the region's instability. The situation remains volatile with ongoing Israeli military raids in the West Bank and increased settler violence.