Blinken Visits Israel as Gaza Truce Efforts Resume

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Israel to support renewed efforts for a Gaza truce amid ongoing tensions in the region.

As part of Washington’s efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza, the top diplomat from the United States is currently visiting Israel. The besieged enclave has seen more than 40,000 Palestinians lose their lives since last October.

On Sunday, Israel welcomed Secretary of State Antony Blinken after the US, along with Qatar and Egypt as mediators, proposed measures to bridge gaps between Hamas and Israel. Following two days of negotiations in Doha this week, truce talks are anticipated to recommence in Cairo shortly.

Mediators reported that they submitted a constructive proposal for a temporary truce to both factions and strides were being made in talks. However, the mediators emphasized that more efforts are needed before an agreement is reached.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials are anticipated to meet with Blinken during his visit to Israel.

According to the State Department, Blinken is scheduled to travel to Egypt on Tuesday.

A statement from Netanyahu’s office reported that Israel’s negotiating team had demonstrated “cautious optimism” regarding the potential advancement of a deal on Saturday.

Rather than introducing “new conditions” from Israel, Hamas has urged for the implementation of a ceasefire plan proposed by Biden in late May.

According to Al Jazeera, Osama Hamdan, a Hamas official stated that Netanyahu is still the primary hindrance for achieving both a ceasefire and an agreement regarding the release of captive individuals as well as Palestinian prisoners.

Hamdan stated that they have always been clear about not accepting a temporary solution, but the Israelis disregarded their agreement made in November 2023.

He stated that what they desire is a comprehensive settlement, which would involve both a ceasefire and an Israeli retreat from all zones of Gaza.

According to Hassan Harari, a professor of international affairs at Qatar University, Hamas has gained insight from past experiences where they believed an agreement was near only for the Israelis to deviate and take disturbing actions such as committing atrocities or assassinating prominent figures.

Some of the contentious issues include specific terms added by Israel after a resolution was passed in May by the United Nations Security Council. These clauses entail retaining Israeli forces at Philadelphi Corridor which partitions Egypt’s Sinai area from Gaza Strip, and erecting checkpoints to regulate south-to-north pedestrian traffic flow.

Harari noted that Netanyahu’s delay in responding is intended to make it more difficult for Hamas to agree. Additionally, there are some Israeli circles that see these demands as valid.

The dialogues will encompass the roster of captives’ names set for liberation in Gaza, Palestinian detainees slated to be released, and the timetable of their emancipation.

According to Zein Basravi of Al Jazeera, Blinken’s primary hurdle will probably be persuading the upper echelon of Israel’s government, especially Netanyahu, to exhibit greater adaptability concerning their requests pertaining to this agreement.

Basravi reported from Amman, Jordan due to Israel’s ban on Al Jazeera that many experts and individuals on the ground express negativity towards this deal. They contend that by creating a sense of cautious optimism while changing the goalpost and blaming Hamas for not accepting a deal, what US and Israel are doing warrants skepticism about its success.

Netanyahu has been accused by Hamas, certain analysts and Israeli protesters of impeding a deal to protect his hard-right ruling coalition.

Yossi, a 53-year-old protester from Tel Aviv informed AFP news agency that the Prime Minister is not eager to release hostages or end the war as he has vested interests.

Under the looming possibility of a regional escalation, negotiations are currently in progress as Iran vows to retaliate against Israel after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination on July 31.

In the meantime, Israel persists with its lethal assaults in Gaza that resulted in nearly 20 casualties during Sunday’s overnight hours – among them an entire household of eight. Palestinian health authorities have reported a death toll climb to 40,000 this week following Israel’s ongoing bombardment campaign on the Gaza Strip.