U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken left for the Middle East on October 21 to start talks for a ceasefire in the Gaza war. This is his eleventh visit to the region since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to the conflict. His trip comes as Israel increases its military actions in Gaza and against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Vedant Patel, a deputy spokesperson for the State Department, said Blinken will begin his trip in Israel but did not share other specific stops. During his visit, Blinken aims to discuss ending the war in Gaza, securing the release of all hostages, and reducing the suffering of the Palestinian people.