U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken seeks to push for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war as he embarks on a tour of the Middle East. The top Washington official is set to visit Egypt and Israel before continuing on to Jordan and Qatar in an effort to garner support for the latest proposal initiated by President Joe Biden. This proposal, which the U.S. aims to present to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a vote, has yet to gain full endorsements from both Israel and Hamas, leading to continued fighting in the region.
During his visit to Cairo, Blinken plans to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi before moving on to Israel to discuss with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. In addition to championing the ceasefire proposal, Blinken is expected to address the potential reopening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, which is crucial for aid deliveries into Gaza.
Biden had outlined a three-phase proposal on May 31 to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, which he stated was presented by Israel. However, with negotiations still ongoing and neither party fully endorsing the plan, violence persists in the region. A senior Hamas official has urged the U.S. to pressure Israel to end the war, emphasizing that Hamas is ready to engage positively with any initiative that would bring a halt to the conflict.
The proposed ceasefire plan involves the exchange of Palestinian prisoners with Israeli captives, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, and a reconstruction plan for the devastated territory. Since the start of the war, over 37,000 Palestinians have been killed and around 84,000 injured, with the majority being women and children.
As part of its efforts, Washington has been working on multiple drafts of a resolution to be presented to the UNSC in support of the ceasefire proposal. The latest version of the proposal differs significantly from previous iterations, explicitly stating Israel’s acceptance of the ceasefire deal and outlining its duration and renewal terms.
Blinken’s trip comes in the wake of intensified hostilities, with the Israeli military’s recent operation resulting in casualties and ongoing bombardment across Gaza. Additionally, tensions are simmering in border conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah, heightening concerns of a potential escalation.
