Washington - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on a mission to the Middle East, specifically to Israel, on Wednesday, with the aim of averting a broader conflict following an attack and hostage-taking by Palestinian Hamas militants and Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

In a demonstration of unwavering support for the United States' closest Middle East ally, Blinken was scheduled to meet high-ranking Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss further enhancing military assistance.

Before departing for Israel, Blinken stated to reporters, "I'm going with a very straightforward and unequivocal message... that the United States stands firmly with Israel."

His mission includes collaborating with regional U.S. allies to secure the release of over 100 individuals held captive by Hamas, according to Israel's claims, some of whom might be American citizens. Following his stops in Israel and Jordan, Blinken plans to visit other countries in the region.

Blinken, the highest-ranking U.S. diplomat, departed as Israel was in the process of forming an emergency unity government. The U.S. State Department had not responded to requests for comment at the time.

Over the weekend, Hamas gunmen carried out violent actions in Israeli towns, resulting in the death of 1,200 people and the taking of numerous hostages to Gaza. Blinken confirmed that at least 22 Americans had lost their lives during the attack, with the possibility of this number increasing. U.S. officials were actively collaborating with their Israeli counterparts to ascertain the status of other unaccounted-for U.S. citizens.

In response, Israel launched airstrikes that claimed over 1,100 lives, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The Israeli military reported that it had killed at least 1,000 Palestinian gunmen who had infiltrated from Gaza.

When asked if the U.S. had encouraged Israel to exercise restraint in its response, given the expected ground operation in Gaza, Blinken highlighted Israel's commitment to international law and efforts to minimize civilian casualties. He stated, "We know that Israel will take all of the precautions that it can, just as we would, and again that’s what separates us from Hamas and terrorist groups that engage in the most heinous kind of activities."

A primary objective for Blinken is to convey a message of deterrence, primarily aimed at Iran and Iran-backed entities such as Lebanon's Hezbollah, to prevent the escalation of a larger conflict.

Hezbollah has acted with caution since the hostilities erupted between Hamas and Israel, maintaining a low profile by engaging in attacks at the Lebanese border but refraining from opening a significant front, according to sources familiar with their thinking.

Violence along the Israel-Lebanon border escalated for a fourth consecutive day on Wednesday, with Israeli shelling responding to a fresh rocket attack by Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanese towns.

Blinken has engaged in phone conversations with counterparts from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates since Saturday. U.S. officials indicated that Washington was urging regional nations with influence over Hamas and other groups hostile to Israel to help prevent the conflict from deteriorating.

Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran program at the Middle East Institute, commented, "The attack by Hamas is a reminder of the perception of an American absence or lack of commitment to the region that some actors might interpret and do things they should not be doing."

On Wednesday, President Biden condemned the Hamas attack as "sheer evil," reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel, and issued what appeared to be a warning to Iran and Iran-backed groups not to exploit the conflict: "I have one word: Don't."

Notably, Blinken's trip announcement excluded a visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank. On previous visits to the region, Blinken had toured the West Bank, governed by the Palestinian Authority and its President Mahmoud Abbas.

Israel has intensified its blockade of Gaza, which has been in place since Hamas assumed power in 2007, announcing that it would restrict the entry of food and fuel while promising further escalation through a ground offensive.

Washington has been in discussions with Israel and Egypt regarding the concept of providing safe passage for civilians from Gaza, a significant topic that Blinken may address during his discussions with regional counterparts.

While President Biden has refrained from making a public plea to Israel to exercise restraint to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza, it remains uncertain whether Blinken will make such an appeal in private discussions with Israeli officials.

News Courtesy Reuters