Blinken heads to the Middle East for the 11th time since the Gaza war, but truce prospects uncertain

AP Diplomatic Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading again to the Middle East, making his 11th trip to the region since the Gaza war erupted last year and as Israel steps up attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The State Department says Blinken will depart Monday for a weeklong trip to Israel and a number of Arab countries on a visit that also comes as Israel weighs retaliation against Iran for ballistic missile attack earlier this month. The trip had been expected after President Joe Biden said last week that he would dispatch Blinken to the region following Israel’s killing of Hamas military chief Yahya Sinwar.