US secretary of state Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Tuesday as the Biden administration attempts to revive stalled talks to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of hostages following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
With Blinken set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the state department said there was “an opportunity to move the ball forward” on ceasefire negotiations. But diplomats say there is little momentum for renewed talks as Netanyahu’s far-right government continues its offensive in Gaza and intensifies its assault against Hizbollah in Lebanon.
A few hours before Blinken arrived, Hizbollah fired several barrages of rockets and missiles across northern and central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Haifa. The Lebanese militant group said it targeted the Glilot intelligence base just north of Tel Aviv and a naval base in Haifa.