US Foreign Minister Meets Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu/screenshot via Instagram @b.netanyahu

JAKARTA - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lasted more than two hours in a small group.

The meeting started right after noon local time, Tuesday, October 22.

The two are now in an extended bilateral meeting, which is ongoing, according to the US State Department.

US Foreign Minister Blinken arrived at a critical time when Israel planned retaliation for 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.