Antony Blinken pushes for Gaza truce as Israel and Hamas trade blame
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel to advocate for a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement in Gaza, marking his ninth visit since the conflict began in October. Despite US optimism following recent talks in Doha, both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of obstructing progress, with Hamas claiming Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is setting new conditions to prolong the war.
The proposed deal includes a phased approach, starting with a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza. However, significant distrust remains between the parties, complicating negotiations. Blinken aims to pressure Israeli leadership to finalize an agreement, but skepticism persists regarding the likelihood of a breakthrough within a week.
As violence continues, with recent airstrikes resulting in casualties, the urgency for a resolution is heightened by the backdrop of US electoral politics, adding pressure on the involved parties to reach a deal swiftly.