CNN
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to Jerusalem and Ramallah next week has gained new urgency after a wave of deadly violence in Israel and the West Bank.
His trip, which also includes a stop in Egypt, was already expected to be complicated, as it will be the top US diplomat’s first visit to Israel since the new Israeli government, which includes ultra-nationalists and ultra-religious parties, took power.
Now, Blinken is poised to face a rapidly escalating crisis that shows no signs of de-escalation.
At least seven people were killed in a mass shooting at a synagogue in Jerusalem Friday that is being described as a terrorist attack. Israeli police said the gunman, who was killed by police, was a 21-year-old resident of East Jerusalem who appeared to have acted alone.
On Thursday, Israeli forces killed nine Palestinians and wounded…
2023-01-27 17:32:49 Blinken to visit Israel and West Bank with tensions high after outbreak of violence
Link from www.cnn.com On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is embarking on a visit to Israel and the West Bank in an effort to de-escalate tensions and calm the recent outbreak of violence.
Blinken is due to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other leaders in the region. The trip comes as the region is still recovering from a 10-day conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which ended with a cease-fire brokered by Egypt.
The Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip killed at least 254 Palestinians, including 66 children, and seven Israelis, one of whom was a child. It also caused widespread destruction of property and displacement of thousands of people in Gaza.
The US has long been seen as the primary mediator between Israel and the Palestinians, and Blinken’s visit is intended to strengthen the existing peace process. His visit comes just days after US President Joe Biden announced his commitment to a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.
During his time in the region, Blinken will be looking to find ways to address the immediate needs of the Palestinian people, such as providing humanitarian aid, as well as longer-term solutions to the conflict.
The US Secretary of State’s visit is an important step in bringing stability and peace back to the region. It is a sign of the Biden Administration’s commitment to finding a new path forward in the Middle East. However, it is unclear if Blinken’s visit will be successful in de-escalating tensions, as both sides remain far from agreement on the key issues.