US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to embark on a critical diplomatic mission to Egypt and Israel this week, as Washington intensifies its push for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This visit, Blinken’s eighth to the region since the outbreak of hostilities in October, underscores the Biden administration’s determination to prevent the conflict from further escalating and potentially spilling over into neighboring Lebanon. The situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire, with the latest round of violence claiming the lives of over 37,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. In response to the Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages, Israel has launched a ferocious assault on the Gaza Strip, reducing the enclave to a state of ruin. The conflict has also raised the specter of a broader confrontation with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, with both sides signaling a readiness for a larger confrontation.
Blinken’s visit comes shortly after US President Joe Biden outlined a three-phase ceasefire proposal from Israel, which envisions a permanent end to hostilities, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza. The top US diplomat will meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo before traveling to Israel, where he will sit down with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.During these high-level meetings, Blinken will emphasize the importance of Hamas accepting the ceasefire proposal on the table, while also discussing the need to prevent the conflict from escalating further, particularly with regards to the tense situation with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The State Department has made it clear that Blinken will also discuss the need to reach a ceasefire agreement that secures the release of all hostages.
The visit also comes at a critical juncture in Israel’s political landscape, as Israeli minister Benny Gantz announced his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emergency government . Gantz’s departure, which will leave Netanyahu reliant on hardliners in his coalition, could have serious implications for the ongoing conflict and the prospects for a negotiated ceasefire.
Blinken has previously met with Gantz during his visits to Israel, and his absence from the current government could complicate the diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire. The Biden administration will need to navigate these shifting political dynamics in Israel as it seeks to find a path forward towards a lasting cessation of hostilities.
The ceasefire talks have intensified in recent weeks, with CIA director William Burns meeting senior officials from mediators Qatar and Egypt in Doha to discuss the plan. However, despite the repeated declarations by Biden that ceasefires were close, there has been only one week-long truce since the outbreak of violence in October.
As Blinken embarks on his latest diplomatic mission, the stakes could not be higher. With the conflict in Gaza showing no signs of abating and the potential for a broader regional conflagration looming, the Biden administration is under immense pressure to broker a ceasefire that not only ends the immediate hostilities but also paves the way for a more durable peace. The success or failure of Blinken’s efforts could have far-reaching implications for the stability of the entire Middle East.
