17-8-2024 (WASHINGTON) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to embark on a crucial diplomatic mission to Israel this weekend, aiming to advance negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza. The State Department announced on Friday that Blinken’s visit comes at a critical juncture in the ongoing efforts to broker peace in the region.
The primary objective of Blinken’s trip is to “conclude the agreement for a ceasefire and release of hostages and detainees,” as stated by the State Department. This mission follows the presentation of a US-led bridging proposal during recent talks in Doha, Qatar.
President Joe Biden expressed cautious optimism earlier on Friday, stating, “We are closer than we have ever been” to achieving a ceasefire in the 10-month-old Gaza conflict. This assessment came after two days of intensive negotiations in the Qatari capital.
In a bid to garner support for the peace process, Biden engaged in telephone conversations with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. These discussions centred around the “significant progress” made during the Doha talks, as reported by National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett.
The White House indicated that diplomats will continue to refine the details of the proposed agreement, with hopes of finalising the accord in Cairo later next week. The State Department emphasised that the current proposal aims to “achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, secure the release of all hostages, ensure humanitarian assistance is distributed throughout Gaza and create the conditions for broader regional stability.”
Blinken’s upcoming visit marks his ninth trip to the Middle East since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, prompting a sustained military response in Gaza. The State Department underscored the importance of Blinken’s mission, stating that he will “underscore the critical need for all parties in the region to avoid escalation or any other actions that could undermine the ability to finalise an agreement.”
While the itinerary beyond Israel has not been immediately disclosed, it is anticipated that Blinken may engage with key Arab allies, as he has done on previous regional tours.
