STORY: The highest U.S. diplomat’s fifth journey to the area since Hamas’ lethal Oct. 7 assault comes at a dangerous second and amid retaliatory U.S. strikes on Iran-backed militia throughout Syria, Iraq and Yemen in response to a drone strike final week in Jordan that killed three American troops and wounded dozens.
Blinken can be set to go to Egypt, Qatar and Israel later this week and push to advance the Egyptian- and Qatari-mediated conversations with Hamas to attain a hostage deal.
In Riyadh, Blinken was anticipated to fulfill with the Kingdom’s de-facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in addition to his Saudi counterpart, international minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
