US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that this is “probably the best, maybe the last opportunity” to reach a cease-fire and hostage release agreement in Gaza.
Blinken made the remarks during a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, his ninth trip to the region since the conflict, which began in October 2023.
“We’re working to make sure that there is no escalation, that there are no provocations, that there are no actions that in any way could move us away from getting this deal over the line, or, for that matter, escalating the conflict to other places, and to greater intensity,” Blinken said during his meeting with Herzog.
The negotiations are based on an amended proposal made by the US, which aims to overcome long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The United States expects to complete the deal by this time next week. However, neither the Israeli government nor Hamas reflect this level of optimism.
In a recent statement, Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of creating obstacles in the way of an agreement and setting new conditions and demands with the goal of prolonging the war.
According to a Hamas source, the proposals call for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to maintain a reduced presence along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, known as the Philadelphi Corridor.
Earlier this month, Blinken warned the G7 ministers that Iran and Hezbollah are likely to attack Israel following back-to-back assassinations of Hezbollah military chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
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