Top US diplomat in crisis talks as Gaza war escalates

Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday for a critical meeting with Israeli leaders amid escalating tensions in the Gaza conflict.

The visit follows a series of strikes in Syria and Lebanon that claimed the lives of high-profile members of Hamas and Hezbollah.

The Israeli military announced a shift in its campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, moving into a new phase involving more targeted operations in the territory’s center and south. Sirens warning of incoming rockets echoed in central and southern Israel, raising concerns about the potential spread of the conflict northward near the border with Lebanon.

Hezbollah confirmed the death of a key figure, Wissam Hassan Tawil, stating that he played a leading role in managing the group’s operations in the south.

The Israeli military acknowledged striking Hezbollah “military sites” in Lebanon but did not immediately comment on Tawil’s death. This marked the second high-profile killing in Lebanon this month, following the death of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Aruri in a Beirut strike.

In parallel developments, the Israeli army reported the killing of a “central” Hamas figure in Syria, Hassan Akasha, who led terrorist cells firing rockets toward Israeli territory.

The Gaza war, triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7, has resulted in approximately 1,140 deaths in Israel, with ongoing concerns about hostages and displaced civilians.

The conflict has also witnessed relentless bombardments and a ground invasion, claiming over 23,000 lives in Gaza, predominantly women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

As fears of an all-out war loom, Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit aims to contain the crisis. Blinken is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, other top officials, and opposition figure Benny Gantz on Tuesday.

The United States, expressing growing concern over the civilian death toll, plans to press Israel on its compliance with international humanitarian law and advocate for increased aid to Gaza.

The war’s toll extends beyond the battlefield, with attacks on journalists drawing international concern.

The United Nations expressed distress over the high death toll of media workers, with Al Jazeera reporting the deaths of two journalists, including the son of Gaza bureau chief Wael al-Dahdouh.

In a chilling revelation, the Israeli military disclosed a transition in the war’s phase, involving fewer soldiers and increased air strikes.

Army spokesman Daniel Hagari emphasized a shift away from Gaza’s devastated north, focusing on hard battles in the center and south.

“While there are still terrorists and weapons in the north, they are no longer functioning within an organised military framework,” he said.

The conflict’s broader impact is evident in the occupied West Bank, where violence against Palestinians has surged. Israeli forces confirmed three deaths during a raid in Tulkarem, adding to the toll of at least 333 killed in the West Bank since October 7, according to the Palestinian health ministry.