US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Monday that Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, has agreed to a “bridging proposal” devised by the United States to overcome obstacles impeding a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and has called on Hamas to follow suit.
Mr. Blinken spoke to journalists following a series of meetings held with Israeli officials, among them, a considerable 2.5-hour dialogue with Netanyahu. The leading US representative had previously conveyed this effort to likely be the best, and possibly final chance for a resolution.
Negotiations in Qatar last week to forge a ceasefire and secure hostage return agreement were temporarily suspended due to inadequate progress, but it is anticipated that these discussions will recommence this week, with the objective to bridge the differences between Israel and Hamas based on the US proposal.
Mr. Blinken’s trip comes in the wake of US President Joe Biden’s mounting pressure in an election year due to his position on the conflict. On Monday, the Democratic Party began its national convention amidst pro-Palestinian protests and concerns about securing the votes of Muslims and Arab Americans in key swing states.
However, as the Palestinian Islamist group has announced its decision to return to suicide bombings in Israel and claims the responsibility for an explosion that took place in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening, Israel’s military strikes reportedly killed a minimum of 30 Palestinian citizens across the Gaza Strip on Monday. Consequently, there are limited signs of reconciliation on the ground, and apprehension of a broadening war remains.
Following a highly constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, he has confirmed his support for the bridging proposal, Blinken reported to the press in Tel Aviv.
The onus is now on Hamas to reciprocate, and all parties, assisted by mediators from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, must collectively complete the process to attain clear commitments under the agreement, he added.
Regardless of expressions of optimism from the US and descriptions of a positive meeting by Mr. Netanyahu’s office, both Israel and Hamas have indicated that reaching an agreement could be challenging.
Extended talks over several months have continued to revolve around the same issues: Israel insists on the elimination of Hamas as a military and political entity as a prerequisite for ending the war, while Hamas only will agree to an enduring, not provisional, ceasefire.
The dispute centres around Israel’s prolonged military presence within Gaza, especially along the border with Egypt, unconditional movement of Palestinians within the territory, and the identity and quantity of prisoners to be released in a swap. Washington has been accused by Hamas officials of bias towards Israel.
Osama Hamdan, a high-ranking official of Hamas, implied in an interview with Reuters that the United States is influenced by Israeli pressure rather than influencing Israel. He suggests this is demonstrated by the Israeli’s providing an updated proposal, despite US Secretary of State, Blinken suggesting that an agreement had already been reached. Hamdan comments display scepticism, suggesting the manoeuvre is a stalling technique by the Israelis. The ongoing conflict in Gaza ignited on October 7, 2023, with a violent attack by Hamas fighters on Israeli settlements leading to approximately 1,200 fatalities and the capture of around 250 individuals, as documented by Israel.
Israel reacted by launching a military initiative that destroyed large portions of the Palestinian area, subsequently displacing almost the entirety of its 2.3 million inhabitants. The resulting famine and disease have reportedly led to a death toll of about 40,000, according to Palestinian health officials.
Since the onset of the war, this marks the ninth trip that Blinken has made to the region. He met with Israeli president Yitzhak Herzog and Netanyahu on Monday, with meetings with Defence Minister Yoav Gallant also scheduled. Trips to Egypt and Qatar are expected in the coming days.
Egyptian security insiders indicate that the continuation of ceasefire discussions in Cairo during this week relies on mutual consensus regarding a safety mechanism for the Philadelphia Corridor, the region between Egypt and Gaza. The US has suggested an international involvement in the area, deemed acceptable if it remains for no longer than six months, according to the insiders.
In the meantime, Israeli families who have had members captured continue to protest and demand action. Ayelet Levy-Shachar, whose daughter Naama was taken from a military base, pleaded on Kan Radio for the safety of her child and other hostages. During a demonstration in Tel Aviv, protesters brandished signs calling for immediate action and urging US President, Joe Biden to intervene.
However, those residing in Gaza hold little confidence that the visit of Blinken will bring about a ceasefire. Hanan Abu Hamid, who lost her home in Rafah, accused him of falsehoods intending to inflict further devastation upon Palestinians.
The discord has rendered the entire Middle East zone highly tense, instigating months of boundary skirmishes between Israel and Lebanon’s Hizbullah group, supported by Iran. There’s an impending threat of a larger escalation pulling in major global powers. This report is brought to you by Reuters, all rights reserved by Thomson Reuters 2024.