Blinken travels to Israel after Hamas invasion

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling to Israel on Wednesday, where he plans on meeting with senior officials to offer his condolences and discuss security measures. 

"In the days ahead, we will continue to stand with our Israeli partners. As I head to Israel, I will be working to ensure they are equipped to defend themselves and making sure any hostile parties know they must not seek to take advantage of the situation," Blinken wrote Wednesday morning on X, formerly Twitter. 

The State Department on Tuesday said Blinken will travel to Jordan as well, and he is expected to leave the region by the end of the week.

The agency said the secretary will condemn the terrorist attacks against Israel, reaffirm U.S. solidarity with the country and "discuss measures to bolster Israel’s security and underscore the United States’ unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself."

More than 1,200 people, including at least 14 U.S. citizens as well as women, children and the elderly, were killed Saturday after Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel from Gaza marking the bloodiest day for Jews since the Holocaust.

Blinken was under fire earlier this week after he tweeted that he encouraged Turkey to advocate "for a cease-fire and the release of all hostages held by Hamas immediately." He deleted the tweet after online outcry.

His visit comes after the State Department in 2021 approved plans to give $250 million to the Palestinian people, including those in Gaza, which is under the control of Hamas, which was designated as a foreign terrorist organization in 1997 by the State Department.

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