Blinken On His Israel Trip: 'This is Probably The Best And The Last Opportunity For A Ceasefire Deal!'
AInvestMonday, Aug 19, 2024 8:54 am ET
2min read
GPS --

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is currently visiting Israel, publicly stated in front of Israeli leaders: This is a decisive moment, probably the best, maybe the last opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a ceasefire and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security.

Standing next to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Blinken told the media: I'm here as part of an intensive diplomatic effort on President Biden's instructions to try to get this agreement to the line and ultimately over the line ... It is time for everyone to get to yes and to not look for any excuses to say no. 

Blinken further stated that it is also necessary to ensure that no one takes any steps that could derail this process.

According to the schedule, Blinken will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Monday. Due to different views on the post-war arrangements in Gaza, the contradictions between the two have been heating up recently, reaching the point of public mutual accusations. After concluding his visit to Israel, Blinken will travel to Egypt on Tuesday.

The Latest Round of Negotiations

Facing the shadow of attacks by Iran and its allies against Israel, officials from Qatar, the United States, Egypt, and Israel resumed ceasefire negotiations in Doha last week. It is known that the talks were attended by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed, CIA Director William Burns, Mossad Director David Barnea, and Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel.

After the talks ended on Friday, Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, the three coordinators, issued a joint statement revealing that the coordinators proposed a transitional agreement to Israel and Hamas to narrow the gap between the two sides on the remaining issues.

Although no details were disclosed about how the new agreement would transition, Hamas stated on Sunday that the United States is indulging Netanyahu to adjust the plan according to his ideas.

Hamas stated that after hearing the briefing of the last round of Doha negotiations, the organization once again concluded that Netanyahu is still putting obstacles in the way of reaching an agreement, and is setting new conditions and demands with the aim of undermining the mediators' efforts and prolonging the war.

More specifically, Hamas does not accept any proposal that does not include a permanent ceasefire or a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The new proposal also prohibits the free movement of Gaza civilians to the northern areas because Netanyahu demands control over the Nezarim Corridor. In addition, the new proposal requires the Israeli military to control the Rafah crossing point and the Philadelphia Corridor on the border between Gaza and Egypt and sets new conditions for the exchange of prisoners.

Netanyahu's Dilemma

The Israeli side also indirectly confirmed the dilemma of the negotiations. Netanyahu said at the cabinet meeting on Sunday that the Israeli military could not withdraw from the Rafah crossing point and the Philadelphia Corridor, and he is negotiating, not just compromising.

Since the outbreak of war in October last year, Netanyahu has been caught between two powerful political forces: his far-right allies oppose any suggestion of withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza, while the families of the hostages and international forces are pressuring the Israeli Prime Minister to reach a ceasefire agreement.

Since the leader of Hamas, who led the negotiations, Haniya was assassinated in Iran at the end of last month, the organization is currently led by the hardliner Yahya Sinwar in Gaza. Regarding the assassination of Haniya, it is widely expected that Iran will coordinate with its allies to carry out retaliatory actions, and the reason for not acting is to wait for the results of this round of negotiations.

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