ALBAWABA - According to a report by Axios, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will embark on a visit to the Middle East, as tension is at all times high amid fears of Iran's retaliation against Israel.
Blinken has scheduled stops in Qatar, Egypt, Israel, and maybe Iran. "Trip (to Iran) isn't final because like everyone else Blinken is waiting to see if Iran attacks or not," Ravid commented on the X platform.
Earlier on Friday, Blinken held a call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant where he "reiterated the urgent need to reach a ceasefire in Gaza that would secure the release of hostages, allow a surge of humanitarian assistance," the Department of State announced in a statement.
White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said on Monday that the United States has prepared for what might be massive strikes by Iran and its proxies in the Middle East as early as this week and that the US has boosted its regional military posture.
In a press conference last week, Kirby told reporters that "there is a good proposal before both sides, and they need to both accept that proposal so we can get this in place. We are as close as we think we have ever been,".
On May 31, US President Joe Biden announced that Israel had offered a three-phase proposal to stop the bloodshed in Gaza and secure the release of Israeli hostages. The proposal calls for a cease-fire, a hostage swap, and the rehabilitation of Gaza.
The news comes as the US Secretary of Defense ordered the deployment of forces in the Middle East in addition to the deployment of a guided missile submarine, as the world anticipates the Iranian retaliation plan against the killing of Hezbollah's Fuad Shukr in Beirut in addition to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The latest statistics by the Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed that the death toll from Israeli brutal pounding on the Gaza Strip since October 7 has soared to 39,897+ people, with more than 92,152+ injuries.
Since then, approximately 85% of Gazans have been displaced, all of whom are suffering from severe food insecurity, and the healthcare system has collapsed. Hundreds of thousands of people lack shelter, and aid trucks are entering the area at a lower rate than before the conflict began.
