US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted a “bridging proposal” presented by Washington to address disagreements hindering a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
Blinken also urged Hamas to agree to the proposal. This announcement follows a day of discussions with Israeli officials, including a 2-1/2-hour meeting with Netanyahu.This effort is described as potentially the best and possibly the last chance for a deal.
Talks in Qatar aimed at securing a ceasefire and a hostage return agreement paused last week without a breakthrough but are anticipated to resume based on the US proposal designed to bridge gaps between Israel and Hamas.
Blinken’s visit follows rising election-year pressures on US President Joe Biden over his stance on the conflict, amidst Democratic party national convention and protests.
However, tensions persist on the ground with Hamas announcing a resumption of suicide bombings in Israel, claiming responsibility for a blast in Tel Aviv on Sunday night. Meanwhile, Israeli military strikes reportedly killed at least 30 Palestinians in Gaza on Monday. These developments add to concerns of a broader conflict.
“In a very constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu today, he confirmed to me that Israel accepts the bridging proposal – that he supports it,” Blinken told reporters in Tel Aviv.
“It’s now incumbent on Hamas to do the same, and then the parties, with the help of the mediators – the United States, Egypt, and Qatar – have to come together and complete the process of reaching clear understandings about how they’ll implement the commitments that they’ve made under this agreement.”
Despite expressions of optimism and Netanyahu’s office describing the meeting as positive, a deal remains challenging. Both parties have signaled significant difficulties in the negotiations. The core issues have remained unchanged over months of talks. Israel insists that the war should end only with the destruction of Hamas as a military and political force, while Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire.
Key disagreements include Israel’s continued military presence in Gaza, particularly along the Egypt border, the free movement of Palestinians within Gaza, and the specifics of a prisoner swap. Hamas officials have accused the US of favoring Israel, complicating the negotiation process.
“When Blinken says that the Israelis agreed, and then the Israelis say that there is an updated proposal, this means that the Americans are subject to Israeli pressure and not the other way around. We believe that it is a maneuver that gives the Israelis more time,” senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Reuters.
The current conflict in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, with Hamas gunmen attacking Israeli communities, resulting in about 1,200 Israeli deaths and around 250 hostages abducted, per Israeli tallies. In response, Israel’s military operations have majorly impacted the Gaza Strip, displacing nearly all of its 2.3 million residents and leading to severe humanitarian crises. Palestinian health authorities report a death toll of at least 40,000 in Gaza.
Blinken, on his ninth trip to the region since the conflict began, met Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu on Monday, followed by a meeting with defence minister Yoav Gallant. He is also scheduled to visit Egypt and Qatar in the coming days.
Egyptian security sources indicate that further ceasefire talks in Cairo this week hinge on an agreement concerning a security mechanism for the Philadelphia Corridor between Egypt and Gaza.
The United States has suggested an international presence in the area, potentially acceptable if limited to a six-month duration.
In Israel, families of hostages have continued to push for a deal. “Don’t sacrifice my daughter and the dozens of helpless hostages,” said Ayelet Levy-Shachar on Kan Radio, referring to her daughter Naama, 20, who was captured at an army base. During a protest in Tel Aviv, demonstrators held US flags and signs saying, “Hostage deal now,” “Hey Joe! Mr. Biden, help us save them,” and “They have no time.”
Inside Gaza, Palestinians express skepticism about the impact of Blinken’s visit. “They are lying just to destroy us more and more. Kill us and kill our children, starve us and make us homeless. Blinken is useless, his visit will harm the Palestinian people,” said Hanan Abu Hamid, displaced from her home in Rafah.
The ongoing conflict has escalated regional tensions, leading to months of border clashes between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement and raising fears of a broader escalation involving major powers.
Blinken also urged Hamas to agree to the proposal. This announcement follows a day of discussions with Israeli officials, including a 2-1/2-hour meeting with Netanyahu.This effort is described as potentially the best and possibly the last chance for a deal.
Talks in Qatar aimed at securing a ceasefire and a hostage return agreement paused last week without a breakthrough but are anticipated to resume based on the US proposal designed to bridge gaps between Israel and Hamas.
Blinken’s visit follows rising election-year pressures on US President Joe Biden over his stance on the conflict, amidst Democratic party national convention and protests.
However, tensions persist on the ground with Hamas announcing a resumption of suicide bombings in Israel, claiming responsibility for a blast in Tel Aviv on Sunday night. Meanwhile, Israeli military strikes reportedly killed at least 30 Palestinians in Gaza on Monday. These developments add to concerns of a broader conflict.
“In a very constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu today, he confirmed to me that Israel accepts the bridging proposal – that he supports it,” Blinken told reporters in Tel Aviv.
“It’s now incumbent on Hamas to do the same, and then the parties, with the help of the mediators – the United States, Egypt, and Qatar – have to come together and complete the process of reaching clear understandings about how they’ll implement the commitments that they’ve made under this agreement.”
Despite expressions of optimism and Netanyahu’s office describing the meeting as positive, a deal remains challenging. Both parties have signaled significant difficulties in the negotiations. The core issues have remained unchanged over months of talks. Israel insists that the war should end only with the destruction of Hamas as a military and political force, while Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire.
Key disagreements include Israel’s continued military presence in Gaza, particularly along the Egypt border, the free movement of Palestinians within Gaza, and the specifics of a prisoner swap. Hamas officials have accused the US of favoring Israel, complicating the negotiation process.
“When Blinken says that the Israelis agreed, and then the Israelis say that there is an updated proposal, this means that the Americans are subject to Israeli pressure and not the other way around. We believe that it is a maneuver that gives the Israelis more time,” senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Reuters.
The current conflict in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, with Hamas gunmen attacking Israeli communities, resulting in about 1,200 Israeli deaths and around 250 hostages abducted, per Israeli tallies. In response, Israel’s military operations have majorly impacted the Gaza Strip, displacing nearly all of its 2.3 million residents and leading to severe humanitarian crises. Palestinian health authorities report a death toll of at least 40,000 in Gaza.
Blinken, on his ninth trip to the region since the conflict began, met Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu on Monday, followed by a meeting with defence minister Yoav Gallant. He is also scheduled to visit Egypt and Qatar in the coming days.
Egyptian security sources indicate that further ceasefire talks in Cairo this week hinge on an agreement concerning a security mechanism for the Philadelphia Corridor between Egypt and Gaza.
The United States has suggested an international presence in the area, potentially acceptable if limited to a six-month duration.
In Israel, families of hostages have continued to push for a deal. “Don’t sacrifice my daughter and the dozens of helpless hostages,” said Ayelet Levy-Shachar on Kan Radio, referring to her daughter Naama, 20, who was captured at an army base. During a protest in Tel Aviv, demonstrators held US flags and signs saying, “Hostage deal now,” “Hey Joe! Mr. Biden, help us save them,” and “They have no time.”
Inside Gaza, Palestinians express skepticism about the impact of Blinken’s visit. “They are lying just to destroy us more and more. Kill us and kill our children, starve us and make us homeless. Blinken is useless, his visit will harm the Palestinian people,” said Hanan Abu Hamid, displaced from her home in Rafah.
The ongoing conflict has escalated regional tensions, leading to months of border clashes between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement and raising fears of a broader escalation involving major powers.
Source : Times of India
