US Secretary of State Urges Last-Ditch Ceasefire Talks Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem on Monday, amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East. The meeting comes ahead of a crucial last-ditch effort to reach a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.
This is Blinken’s ninth mission to the region since the conflict began last October. The US official reiterated the urgency of the situation, saying, “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.”
Blinken will also meet with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday and travel to Egypt on Tuesday for talks with mediating countries. The Secretary of State emphasized the need for an immediate resolution, stating, “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 it to get done.”
The talks have been going on for months, but progress has been limited, with both Israel and Hamas blaming each other for creating obstacles to reaching a ceasefire. The situation took a worrying turn on Monday when the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for a bomb blast on Sunday in Tel Aviv.
The Israeli military continues to pound Gaza, further escalating tensions in the region. Blinken warned on Monday that it is time to “make sure that no one takes any steps that could derail this process” or escalate the conflict to other places.
A ceasefire agreement would likely see the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and bring relief to Palestinian civilians. However, Palestinians are skeptical about the outcome of Blinken’s visit, citing the lack of progress in previous talks.
Meanwhile, protesters gathered outside Israel’s parliament in Jerusalem on Monday to urge their government to close a deal to return the hostages home. As the region teeters on the brink of a wider escalation, Blinken’s mission represents a last-ditch effort to salvage the peace process.
