During his visit to Tel Aviv, Blinken met with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, who agreed to “overcome” differences. And now it’s Hamas’ turn.
In a very constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu today, he confirmed to me that Israel accepts the compromise proposal and that he supports it. Now Hamas must do the same.
Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State
Thousands of Israelis gathered outside the hotel where Blinken was staying during his trip, calling on him to push Netanyahu to make a deal with Hamas.
However many displaced Palestinians in Gaza expressed displeasure with Blinken’s visit.
This is the tenth visit he has made, in an attempt to buy time to destroy more and more Palestinians. I expect nothing but failure and more pressure on the weaker side – us
Masoud Abu-Dbaa, a displaced Palestinian from Rafah
The United States, Egypt and Qatar have been trying to reach an agreement for months, but talks have repeatedly broken down.
Israel gave the green light
The talks have reached a “crucial moment,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. It was his ninth trip to the Middle East since the war in Gaza began.
This Monday, Antony Blinken said this could be the “last opportunity” to stop Israel’s offensive in Gaza. It was also important to take this step to free the hostages. He led the talks out of fear of a regional conflict with Iran.
Speaking in Tel Aviv ahead of a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Blinken said the new round of talks was “probably the best, maybe the last opportunity to bring the hostages home, to achieve a ceasefire, and to put everyone on a better path to lasting peace and security.” Blinken said Netanyahu had accepted the cease-fire deal, and “it’s now up to Hamas to do the same.”
The United States and other mediators have expressed optimism. But Israel and Hamas have blamed each other for the lack of progress.
Cease-Fire Talks
The talks resumed Thursday in the Qatari capital Doha and will continue this week in the Egyptian capital Cairo. However, a Hamas spokesman told NBC News on Monday that they do not plan to attend the talks.
In a separate statement Sunday, Hamas said Israel had set new conditions that were preventing progress toward a deal.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, however, say the conditions are consistent with what President Joe Biden outlined in late May.
Washington has previously accused Hamas of holding up efforts to broker a deal. But Israel has also dragged its feet and stifled progress. Blinken said his visit to the region was “to try to push this deal to the brink and ultimately cross the brink.”
The conflict begins
The renewed push for a deal comes as the death toll in Gaza climbs above 40,000.
Israel has been accused of genocide by the International Court of Justice over its deadly offensive, which follows Hamas terror attacks on Oct. 7 that left about 1,200 people dead and nearly 250 hostages.
Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 28 people overnight Saturday into Sunday, including quadruplets, health officials said. Israel blames Hamas for the civilian deaths.
Mediators are rushing to strike a deal that would not only end the fighting but also ease rising tensions in the region.