Middle East Tensions Escalate as Israeli Strikes Kill Senior Hezbollah Commander

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarks on Middle East tour in bid to prevent conflict spread amid ongoing war with Hamas.

Israeli strikes in Lebanon have resulted in the death of a senior Hezbollah commander, escalating tensions and concerns of a wider regional war.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on a Middle East tour aimed at preventing the war from spreading, with talks held in Saudi Arabia Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey.
Israeli forces have taken nearly full control of the north of the Gaza Strip, including Gaza City, and have killed most of Hamas' operational command chain.
Hamas' deputy leader, Saleh al-Arouri, was killed in an airstrike in Beirut, leading to retaliation threats from Hezbollah.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the death of over 23,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.