Blinken meets Israel’s war leadership as US concerns grow

With the US becoming increasingly apprehensive over the fighting in the Gaza Strip and on Israel’s northern border, senior Israeli leaders met with visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday.

In Israel for his fifth visit since the October 7 Hamas attacks, Blinken met in Tel Aviv with President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Israel Katz, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He was also slated to sit with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, war cabinet minister Benny Gantz, the heads of Israel’s intelligence agencies, the full war cabinet, and families of the hostages taken by Hamas.

On Wednesday morning, Blinken will meet with Opposition Leader Yair Lapid.

Standing next to Herzog, Blinken spoke about Washington’s “relentless efforts” to bring the hostages home from Hamas captivity. He added that he will share what he heard from regional allies with Herzog and Netanyahu. READ MORE