US "Makes Last-Ditch Effort at Mideast Diplomatic Headway" Before Looming Election
Israel expanded the scope of its attacks from the devastated Gaza Strip to Lebanon last month, carrying out a ground offensive against Hezbollah forces in the southern border areas, along with relentless daily airstrikes. | US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has embarked upon a Middle East tour as Washington makes a last-ditch attempt at pushing Israel towards some semblance of a negotiation process before the US presidential election. The itinerary of the week-long visit takes Blinken first to Israel on Tuesday, then on to Jordan and Qatar. ● Blinken has been tasked with discussing how to bring an end to Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza, humanitarian assistance for the devastated enclave, and "day after" plans, such as security, governance, and reconstruction for the region after the fighting ends, a senior State Department official told reporters.