Blinken emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that this might be the "last opportunity" to secure a ceasefire, as the U.S. pushes to finalize a deal, possibly within the next week. However, both Israeli and Hamas leaders remain skeptical, accusing each other of obstructing the process.
After the talks, Blinken underscored the importance of reaching a truce and securing the release of hostages, noting that further delays could lead to more casualties and complicate negotiations. Blinken plans to continue diplomatic efforts in Egypt and Qatar to advance the talks. Netanyahu also intends to send a negotiating team to Cairo for further discussions with Egyptian, Qatari, and U.S. mediators.
Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza continues to worsen amid ongoing Israeli military operations. Israel reported killing "dozens of terrorists" and destroying Hamas facilities, while Palestinian media reported casualties from Israeli airstrikes.
The conflict escalated after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, leading to an Israeli military campaign in Gaza. Since then, over 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Hamas-run health authorities. A previous ceasefire in November saw Hamas release 105 hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. Israel states that 111 hostages remain in captivity, with 39 presumed dead.
Protests in Israel reflect the urgency of the situation, with demonstrators urging for a hostage deal. Blinken described the moment as perhaps the last chance to secure both a ceasefire and lasting peace. Netanyahu and Blinken agreed progress had been made, though significant challenges remain.
Netanyahu has accused Hamas of obstructing the process, while Hamas, represented by Basem Naim, criticized Israel for using the situation for political gain. Despite these challenges, the U.S. remains hopeful that a ceasefire deal can be reached soon, though this urgency is more strongly felt by Washington than by the conflicting parties, who continue to stand firm on their positions.
On Tuesday, Blinken will travel to Egypt, a key mediator in the talks along with Qatar. The mediators have presented a proposal aiming to bridge the gaps between the parties, based on principles outlined by President Biden. This proposal includes a phased approach: an initial six-week ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the beginning of Gaza's reconstruction.
However, significant differences remain, particularly regarding Israel’s military presence in Gaza and the rights of displaced Palestinians. One of the main points of contention is the Philadelphi corridor along Gaza's border with Egypt, where Netanyahu insists on maintaining Israeli control to prevent smuggling and Hamas's rearmament, while Hamas views it as continued occupation.
The U.S. and its allies continue to work towards bridging these gaps, but achieving a ceasefire remains a challenging task.
