Will there be a ceasefire in the Middle East? US Secretary of State visits the region

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken continues his diplomatic contacts aimed at reducing the rising tension in the region. 

Blinken announced that the US is increasing its efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon. Blinken stated that the US has warned Israel against engaging in a long-term military operation in Lebanon.

Following these statements, Israel's airstrikes on Beirut on Thursday evening drew attention. According to Lebanese state media, Israel's attacks on the southern Beirut region, known as a stronghold of Hezbollah, continued throughout the night. It was reported that evacuation warnings were issued by Hezbollah shortly before these attacks. It was announced that at least three media workers lost their lives in the Israeli attacks.

'I HOPE IRAN HAS RECEIVED THE CLEAR MESSAGE' 

While Israel's operation against the Iran-backed Hezbollah has been ongoing for a month, US Secretary of State Blinken stated that they have delivered a clear message to Iran that any attack on Israel would put its own interests at risk.

 Blinken said he hopes this message has been understood by Iran.

It is known that Israel launched the operation in Lebanon on October 1 in retaliation for the Iran-backed missile attack on residential areas in northern Israel. 

Following the attack, Israel had announced that it was conducting operations to ensure security so that those evacuated from their homes in the north could return.

'ENDING THE CONFLICT WITH HEZBOLLAH IS NOW POSSIBLE'

Expressing that diplomatic efforts are continuing to lower the tension in the region, Blinken stated that Israel is trying to eliminate threats on the Lebanese border, but that this should not turn into a long-term military campaign. Blinken added that they are working on diplomatic solutions so that civilians on both sides of the border can safely return to their homes.

Israeli Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi, on the other hand, stated that it now seems possible for Israel's conflict with Hezbollah to end, saying, "We have a high chance of achieving a clear result in northern Israel. We have completely dismantled Hezbollah's senior command chain."