US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Pushes for Ceasefire in Israel’s War on Gaza during Middle East Trip
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has commenced his current trip to the Middle East with talks in Saudi Arabia in an effort to secure a ceasefire in Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza. Blinken is set to meet with Arab foreign ministers and a senior Palestinian official in Cairo on Thursday to continue pressing for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, where hunger is spreading and warnings of an impending famine are escalating.
Details on the discussions in Cairo were not provided, but Reuters reported, citing Egyptian security sources, that Arab countries will propose a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have been working on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
Following his meetings in Saudi Arabia, Blinken is expected to meet with ruling Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where the urgent need to protect civilians in Gaza and increase humanitarian assistance will be at the forefront of discussions. This visit marks Blinken’s sixth to the Middle East since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza last October.
Negotiations for a ceasefire continued in Qatar this week, with Qatari officials expressing cautious optimism after talks with Israeli intelligence chiefs. However, Israeli operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah have raised concerns about hampering any potential ceasefire negotiations.
The United States has also announced that Blinken will conclude his trip with a visit to Israel to discuss ongoing negotiations with Israeli government leadership on securing the release of all hostages and defeating Hamas in a manner that protects civilians and promotes Israel’s security. Tensions between the U.S. and Israel have been rising as civilian casualties mount, with the United Nations food agency warning of imminent famine in northern Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated his intentions to proceed with a large-scale ground operation in Rafah, despite warnings from U.S. President Joe Biden. Biden faces mounting pressure domestically to rein in Israel’s military response to the Hamas attack in October. Netanyahu recently had a phone call with Biden, agreeing to send a high-level delegation to Washington to discuss the proposed French action plan.
Following discussions with U.S. Republican senators and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s criticism of Netanyahu as an obstacle to peace, Biden reiterated his concerns, emphasizing the need for dialogue to achieve peace in the region. Netanyahu assured Republican lawmakers that Israel would continue its efforts to defeat Hamas in Gaza.
The situation in Gaza remains precarious, with diplomatic efforts underway to secure a ceasefire and deliver much-needed aid to the region. Blinken’s trip underscores the urgency of finding a resolution to the conflict and promoting stability in the Middle East.