US Foreign Minister Blinken Arrives In Tel Aviv, Pushes For Ceasefire Negotiations

JAKARTA - United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv to meet with Israeli officials.

Blinken arrived at a critical moment when Israel planned retaliation against Iranian missile attacks and when ceasefire negotiations over war in Lebanon and Gaza stalled.

The major American diplomat's visit also comes at a time when tense relations between Washington and its closest allies in the region, causing America to warn Israel they may stop supplying weapons unless the humanitarian situation in Gaza improves.

A recent US intelligence leak regarding Israel's war plans risks further worsening relations between the two countries. However, the US State Department said it expected the leak would not be discussed at Blinken's meeting.

On Monday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the White House was not optimistic that ceasefire negotiations in Gaza or Lebanon would soon restart.