U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need to reach a Gaza cease-fire agreement to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and alleviate the suffering of Palestinians after nearly a year of intense fighting in Gaza.
This urgent mission marks Blinken’s ninth visit to the Middle East amid growing optimism for a potential deal. However, recent proposals have faced opposition from Hamas and reluctance from Israel to compromise on certain issues.
The visit, occurring just before upcoming talks in Egypt, raises concerns about the conflict escalating into a broader regional war following recent events in Lebanon linked to Israel.
Blinken stressed the importance of seizing this critical moment to achieve a cease-fire, secure the release of hostages, and pave the way for lasting peace and stability, while cautioning against any actions that could derail the process.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed gratitude for the Biden administration’s support and condemned the ongoing attacks against Israelis, highlighting the country’s resilience in the face of terrorism.
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Efforts to finalize a cease-fire agreement will continue in Cairo this week, with Blinken’s schedule including meetings with Israeli leaders before traveling to Egypt.
The conflict, which began in October, has resulted in a significant loss of life and widespread destruction in Gaza and surrounding areas. Progress has been made on potential terms for a cease-fire deal, but differences remain over certain key issues.
Blinken called on both sides to seize the opportunity to reach an agreement and avoid further delays or obstacles.
More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, the territory’s Health Ministry says
An Israeli delegation held talks with Egyptian officials as part of the truce efforts, an Egyptian official said Monday.
The dialogue focused on key border control issues but did not yield a breakthrough, with Israel maintaining certain demands regarding border security.