US Secretary of State Antony Blinken planned to visit Israel on Sunday in the midst of ongoing negotiations to solidify a ceasefire deal in Gaza. A senior Hamas official dismissed the authority of the US in the negotiations.
For Blinken, this marks his ninth trip to the Middle East since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7. He is scheduled to meet with Israeli leaders before the ceasefire discussions resume in Cairo in the coming days.
Mediators from the US, Qatar, and Egypt have expressed optimism about the progress of the negotiations to reach a ceasefire in this prolonged conflict, with US President Joe Biden stating that they are closer to an agreement than ever before.
Despite the positive outlook from the mediators, Hamas’s Sami Abu Zuhri spoke out against what he referred to as “American diktats” in the negotiations, casting doubt on the progress made during talks in Doha.
Previous instances of optimism during months of intermittent ceasefire discussions have not materialized into agreements. However, the current negotiations hold greater significance due to the recent killings of Iran-backed militant leaders and the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Following the presentation of a “bridging proposal” by mediators to close the remaining gaps between the opposing sides, Hamas rejected Israel’s “new conditions” and called for the implementation of Biden’s proposed plan from late May.
Before his departure for Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office called for heightened pressure on Hamas to achieve a breakthrough in the negotiations.
The ongoing violence extends beyond Gaza to the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Lebanon, where Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, has engaged in frequent clashes with Israeli forces throughout the conflict.
As efforts continue to secure a ceasefire deal, the violence persists in these regions. On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon resulted in the deaths of 10 Syrians, while in Gaza, a single Palestinian family lost 15 members in an Israeli attack.
Amid the escalating crisis, the United Nations has called for temporary ceasefires to allow for the vaccination of children against polio, following the first reported case in Gaza in 25 years.
Western and Arab diplomats are actively engaging in shuttle diplomacy to facilitate a ceasefire agreement and prevent further escalation in the region.
– ‘Conclude the agreement’ –
During his visit to Israel, Blinken is focused on finalizing a ceasefire and the release of hostages and detainees, as outlined in the proposed deal attributed to Israel.
Hostages seized by Hamas during the October 7 attack are a key point of contention, with many still held captive in Gaza. The proposed agreement aims to halt the fighting for an initial six weeks and secure the release of hostages and prisoners.
The ongoing negotiations and military operations have displaced civilians in Gaza, raising concerns about their safety and well-being amid the conflict.
The conflict has taken a toll on the infrastructure and healthcare system in Gaza, leaving vulnerable populations at risk of preventable diseases.
Efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement remain crucial in averting further bloodshed and addressing the humanitarian crisis in the region.
