WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, headed back to Middel East on Sunday to push forward a proposal to halt the conflict in Gaza in return for the release of hostages.
This is Blinken’s fifth trip to the region since the war between Israel and Hamas started on October 7. It comes days after the US conducted retaliatory strikes against Iranian-linked targets in Iraq and Syria.
The tour also comes at a time when the Biden administration expresses more frustration with Israel, with sanctions imposed on Thursday on extremist Jewish settlers. However, the United States has dismissed international calls on Israel to end its military campaign in Gaza.
The suggestion under discussion, drafted during talks in Paris involving the CIA chief, Israeli, Qatari and Egyptian officials a week ago. Under the deal fighting would be stopped for an initial six weeks as Hamas frees hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Blinken during the tour is likely to visit Israel as well as Egypt and Qatar.
The US Secretary of State speaking last Monday after holding a meeting with Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, in Washington said there is real hope for success of the strong proposal.
Qatar optimistic about deal
Qatar has also expressed optimism, though Hamas has said that there is no deal so far and there is also division in Israel on the agreement with Hamas.
Meanwhile, Hundreds on Saturday rallied in Tel Aviv to demand prompt action to free the hostages as well as early elections as they condemned the inability of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-right government to ensure their freedom.
Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, on Sunday acknowledged the talks within Israel but said, the ball is in Hamas’ court at this time while referring to the deal.
He said Blinken would press Israel to allow more medicine, food, water and shelter in Gaza, which has been razed to rubble due to four months of bombardment.
Sullivan added that this will be a top priority during the meeting with Israeli leaders.
Aid groups and countries have warned of a risk of famine in Gaza with severe shortage of food and water.
Since October 7, Israel’s military offensive has resulted in an unprecedented death toll, with at least 27,365 people killed in Gaza, mostly women and children. Rafah, which once housed 200,000 people, now hosts more than half of Gaza’s population, contributing to a dire humanitarian situation.
