US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for three hours, describing the meeting as “positive” and conducted in “good spirit.” Blinken’s ninth trip to the region aims to secure a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Optimism about a deal emerged after talks resumed in Doha last week. However, Hamas dismisses suggestions of progress as an “illusion.” Key issues remain contested, including the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Earlier, Blinken met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, emphasizing the urgency of securing a ceasefire and hostage release deal. “This is probably the best, maybe the last opportunity,” Blinken said.
Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel is committed to the latest American proposal, considering Israel’s security needs. The current negotiations are based on a modified US proposal aimed at bridging gaps between Israel and Hamas.
Despite American optimism, the Israeli leadership and Hamas remain skeptical. Each side accuses the other of obstinacy and blocking a deal. Hamas claims Netanyahu is setting new conditions and demands to prolong the war.
The proposed deal includes a reduced Israeli presence along the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip of land along Gaza’s southern border. However, Israeli sources suggest alternative procedures could compensate for an Israeli withdrawal.
The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza to destroy Hamas in response to an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7. Over 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then.
A ceasefire deal in November saw Hamas release 105 hostages in exchange for a week-long ceasefire and the freeing of Palestinian prisoners. Israel claims 111 hostages remain, with 39 presumed dead.
US President Joe Biden said, “We are closer than we have ever been” to a deal. However, previous optimism has proven unfounded. Netanyahu emphasized the need for flexibility while upholding Israel’s security principles.
A senior Hamas official expressed disappointment with the mediators’ proposals, citing no progress. Public statements of defiance may be a negotiating tactic, but hostility and distrust make a breakthrough challenging.
The countdown clock for a deal ticks faster for the Americans, with Washington’s electoral politics in the background. The original agreement outlined by President Biden includes a three-phase plan: a six-week ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces, and hostage exchange, followed by a permanent end to hostilities and a reconstruction plan for Gaza.
