Secretary of State Antony Blinken is embarking on his eighth diplomatic mission to the Middle East next week to push for a breakthrough on President Joe Biden’s cease-fire proposal. Blinken will travel to Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, and Italy, emphasizing the importance of Hamas accepting the proposal on the table. The proposal aims to alleviate suffering in Gaza, enable humanitarian assistance, and promote stability in the region.
During his visit, Blinken will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and participate in an emergency international conference on aid to Gaza in Jordan. In Qatar, he will meet with officials involved in mediating the cease-fire deal. The Biden administration is pushing for Hamas to accept a three-phase cease-fire proposal that includes the release of hostages and could lead to an end to the conflict and the reconstruction of Gaza.
Hamas has indicated a positive view of the offer but has called on Israel to commit to a permanent cease-fire, a withdrawal of troops from Gaza, and a prisoner exchange. Despite the outreach to Arab nations to influence Hamas, there has been no definitive response yet. Blinken will continue to press the case during his visits to Egypt and Qatar, countries with close ties to Hamas. However, there may be challenges in selling the proposal to Netanyahu and his far-right coalition government, who have expressed skepticism towards the deal.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant casualties and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with over 36,000 Palestinians killed in eight months of Israeli bombardments. The war has disrupted the supply of food, medicine, and other essentials to Palestinians, leading to widespread hunger. United Nations agencies warn that over 1 million people in Gaza could face the highest level of starvation by mid-July. Israel has faced international criticism for its actions, including recent airstrikes that reportedly killed civilians.
Blinken’s frequent visits to the region have focused on providing aid to civilians in Gaza, preventing the conflict from spreading, and planning for the reconstruction and governance of postwar Gaza. Despite backing Israel’s right to defend itself, the offensive in Gaza has increased political pressure in the U.S., leading to pro-Palestinian protests and concerns about antisemitism. The efforts to secure a cease-fire and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remain key priorities for the Biden administration and its diplomatic engagement in the Middle East.
