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Blinken heads to Israel to push for Middle East ceasefires -- State Dept

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will depart for the Middle East on Oct. 21, 2024, the State Department said, as Washington is pushing to kickstart ceasefire negotiations to end the Gaza war following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Vedant Patel, the State Department's deputy spokesman, told reporters the top diplomat's trip will start with Israel but did not provide the other exact destinations. Blinken's latest trip to the region, his 11th since the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas that triggered the Gaza war, comes even as Israel has intensified its military campaign in Gaza and in Lebanon against Iran-aligned militia Hezbollah.

REUTERS VIDEO

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Transcript
00:00The Secretary will be – wheels up later this afternoon, heading to Israel and other
00:05countries in the Middle East.
00:08In Israel, the Secretary will reaffirm the United States' ironclad commitment to Israel's
00:13security and emphasize advancing enduring peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians
00:19alike.
00:20Throughout the region, Secretary Blinken will discuss the importance of bringing the war
00:25in Gaza to an end, securing the release of all hostages, and alleviating the suffering
00:30of the Palestinian people.
00:32He will continue discussions with counterparts on post-conflict period planning and emphasize
00:38the need to chart a new path forward that enables Palestinians to rebuild their lives
00:43and realize their aspirations free from Hamas's tyranny.
00:48The Secretary will also underscore that additional food, medicine, and other urgently needed
00:53humanitarian aid must be delivered to civilians in Gaza.
00:57He will also discuss the need to reach a diplomatic resolution in the conflict between Israel
01:03and Hezbollah that fully implements UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and allows civilians
01:09on both sides of the blue line to return to their homes.
01:13And lastly, he will reaffirm the U.S. commitment to work with partners across the region to
01:18de-escalate tensions and providing lasting stability.
01:22So with that, I will let the travel team announce other stops as it relates to the schedule
01:28as the trip progresses.
01:31At this point, we can certainly share that he will be going to Israel, but additional
01:36stops are to be announced.
01:51For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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