Blinken warns Israel-Gaza war could ‘easily metastasise’ as regional tour continues

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that the Israel-Gaza war could “easily” spill over into a full-blown regional conflict.

He issued the warning ahead of a visit to the Middle East in an attempt to calm tensions.

“This is a moment of profound tension in the region,” Blinken said at a news conference in Qatar on Sunday evening. 

“This is a conflict that could easily metastasise, causing even more insecurity and even more suffering.”

Qatar, which maintains ties with Hamas, has played a central mediation role in the conflict, helping broker the release of more than 100 Israeli hostages. 

His comments came shortly before he departed for the UAE, where he will continue talks on the war in Gaza. 

Blinken will also meet with leaders in Saudi Arabia and is due to visit Israel and the occupied West Bank. – The National News