Bharat Express

Gaza

Tension escalated following Hamas' October 7 attack, leading to Israeli retaliation in Gaza, with approximately 400 Hezbollah terrorists killed in recent months

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel's three war goals are to destroy Hamas' military and governance capabilities, return all hostages, and ensure that Gaza no longer constitutes a threat to Israel

French President Macron and Jordan's King Abdullah II have urged Israel to ease land-based restrictions on humanitarian deliveries to Gaza, citing shortages of commodities and the closure of the Rafah border

United States officials have questioned Israel's intention of entirely eliminating Hamas

Israeli military operations against Hamas have devastated Gaza, displacing residents and requiring urgent assistance

Early Thursday, Hamas urged Blinken in a statement to put direct pressure on Israel

Exchanges of fire across the border between Hezbollah and Israeli forces have increased in recent days

The Israeli siege has left Gaza's 2.4 million residents without adequate food, clean water, medicines, and fuel, forcing many to the edge of starvation

The successful rescue operation on Saturday that freed four captives has given Netanyahu political momentum in Israel

Blinken is set to attend closed-door meetings in Cairo with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a major US partner in peace efforts, and then in Jerusalem with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu