During his visit to Israel on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the urgency of finalizing a cease-fire agreement in Gaza, stressing that the time to act is now. Blinken highlighted that this moment might be the last chance to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and to alleviate the suffering in Gaza after 10 months of intense conflict.
This mission marked Blinken’s ninth visit to the Middle East since the conflict’s inception, and it followed recent signs of progress in cease-fire negotiations, with the U.S., among other mediators, expressing cautious optimism. However, Blinken’s visit also came amid rising concerns that the conflict could escalate into a broader regional war, particularly after the recent killings of militant leaders in Lebanon, for which Iran blamed Israel.
Speaking with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv, Blinken stated, “This is a decisive moment, probably the best, maybe the last, opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a cease-fire, and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security.” He also warned against any actions that could derail the peace process, implicitly referring to Iran’s role in the region.
President Herzog expressed gratitude for the support from the Biden administration and lamented the recent surge in attacks against Israelis, highlighting the ongoing security challenges faced by the nation.
The discussions in Israel were part of broader diplomatic efforts, with mediators set to meet again in Cairo later in the week to solidify a cease-fire agreement. Blinken’s itinerary includes a visit to Egypt following his talks in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The conflict, which began on October 7, saw Hamas militants launch an unprecedented attack on Israel, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli casualties and the abduction of around 250 people, of whom approximately 110 remain in Gaza. Israel’s military response has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health authorities, and widespread devastation across Gaza.
The current cease-fire proposal, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S., involves a phased process where Hamas would release all hostages in exchange for Israel withdrawing its forces from Gaza and releasing Palestinian prisoners. However, tensions remain, with Hamas accusing Israel of introducing new demands, such as maintaining a military presence along key routes in Gaza. Israel, in turn, has described these as clarifications rather than new demands.
As negotiations continue, Blinken urged both sides to seize this critical opportunity, stating, “It is time for everyone to get to yes and to not look for any excuses to say no.”
