U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he boards an aircraft during his departure from Washington to travel to the Middle East, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., January 4, 2024.
This is a conflict that could easily metastasize, causing even more insecurity and suffering," Blinken told reporters in Doha after meeting with Qatar's leadership on Sunday.
The Middle East trip follows the assassination by drone of deputy Hamas chief Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut, which Hamas has blamed on Israel.
Many U.S. officials now fear that the fighting will draw Hezbollah and Lebanon into the war, a shift that could see Iran up its involvement as well.
Hezbollah, the most powerful militant and political organization in Lebanon, has been described by analysts as having 10 times the power and military capabilities as Hamas.
Persons:
Antony Blinken, Blinken, Saleh al
Organizations:
Joint Base Andrews, United Arab Emirates — U.S, United Arab, Sunday, Hamas, Palestinian, Many U.S
Locations:
Washington, Israel, Joint Base Andrews , Maryland, U.S, DUBAI, United Arab, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Doha, Arouri, Beirut, Iran, Lebanon, Many