Concern is growing about a possible new escalation of the crisis in the Middle East with the direct involvement of Hezbollah. Rocket fire from Lebanese militiamen hit northern Israel. The group claimed responsibility for the attack, which was defined as an “initial response” to the killing of Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut. “We hit one of Israel's most important bases, the Meron Surveillance and Air Control Command Base, with 62 rockets,” commented Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, speaking of an “inevitable” reaction to the death of Al-Arouri, who he claims to have changed the nature of the conflict with Israel. Tel Aviv's response was not long in coming: IDF warplanes attacked a number of Hezbollah-administered sites in the Aita al-Shaab, Yaron and Ramya areas. Targets also include a launch site and military buildings. The need to prevent regional escalation was at the heart of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell's meetings in Lebanon. “We agreed to work together through diplomacy to achieve de-escalation and long-term stability, which is in everyone’s interest,” Borrell said after talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. While Unifil mission chief Aroldo Lazaro, the number one diplomat in Brussels, was briefed “on the current risks of escalation along the Blue Line.”
Al Lazaro was therefore “reaffirmed the EU's strong support for the UN mission, which plays a crucial role in preventing and containing escalation.” The crisis in the Middle East was also discussed in Istanbul, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received American Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who “underlined the need to prevent the expansion of the conflict and to work for a more comprehensive peace.” a more sustainable solution, which guarantees the security of Israel and promotes the creation of a Palestinian state.” Erdogan, in turn, criticized the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza because of the consequences for the Palestinian population. The meeting was also attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who stressed that “growing Israeli aggression” in Gaza poses “a threat to the region.” Ankara, Fidan continued, continues to support the need for an immediate ceasefire and urges Tel Aviv to begin negotiations on a two-state solution to the crisis “as soon as possible.” This is Blinken's fourth diplomatic mission to the region in just three months. The program includes stops in the West Bank, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Egypt. On the eve of his arrival in Turkey, the head of Hamas' political office, Ismail Haniyeh, addressed the US Secretary of State in a video message, urging him to “focus his visit on ending the attacks on the Palestinian people and beyond.” “ Way to end the occupation. Amid new tensions, including the killing of al-Arouri, diplomatic efforts to reach a new ceasefire have waned. In Gaza, the Israeli operation continues and continues to claim victims. According to the local Ministry of Humanity, more than 22,000 and 720 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the conflict, along with over 58,000 and 166 wounded, especially women and children.