Blinken travels to the Middle East to reduce tensions

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken began a three-day trip to the Middle East on Monday, according to a statement from the U.S. State Department. He plans to visit Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel to prevent a wider conflict in the region. According to the statement, he will also discuss ongoing efforts to negotiate a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. Israel has continued its war with terrorists in Gaza since Oct. 7.

What’s going on in Gaza right now? Israel struck Rafah on Monday, killing more than 20 people, including some women and children, according to an Associated Press report citing Gaza health officials. The attack comes amid reports that Israel is planning to invade the city, which the United States has discouraged.

What is the international community doing about the situation in Gaza? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday demanded that the International Criminal Court not try to arrest Israeli officials. Israel would not accept the ICC undermining its right to self-defense, he said. The International Court of Justice, a separate entity, earlier this year ordered Israel to take measures to protect against the loss of civilian life in Gaza.

Dig deeper: Read Erick Erickson’s column in WORLD Opinions about President Joe Biden’s shameful silence on anti-Semitic rhetoric.