US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to return to Egypt on Wednesday, marking his first visit to the Middle East since the October 7 attacks. However, notably absent from his itinerary is a stop in Israel, a departure from his usual practice of engaging with Israeli officials during such visits.
Blinken's visit comes at a critical juncture as doubts loom over the prospects of reaching a ceasefire and hostage deal before President Joe Biden's term concludes. The top US diplomat's previous visit to Israel in August had sparked public optimism about progress towards a resolution, but that optimism has since waned.
The State Department announced that Blinken will focus on discussions with Egyptian officials regarding ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, secure the release of hostages, and address the humanitarian situation for Palestinians. Additionally, he will co-chair the opening of the U.S.-Egypt Strategic Dialogue to strengthen bilateral relations and promote economic development and cultural ties.
Egypt plays a crucial role in facilitating negotiations between Israel and Hamas, but a major breakthrough during Blinken's visit is unlikely. The success of any agreement hinges on the political will of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, both of whom have shown reluctance to compromise.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield emphasized that reaching an agreement is contingent on the political will of the parties involved. Despite ongoing efforts to bridge differences, the specifics of a proposed deal have yet to be presented to Israel and Hamas, with uncertainties surrounding the timeline for further steps.
Recent developments, including the imposition of new demands by both Hamas and Israel, have complicated the negotiation process. While US officials remain optimistic about resolving the remaining issues, challenges persist in finalizing key aspects of the ceasefire and hostage deal.
Blinken's visit underscores the continued diplomatic efforts to broker a lasting peace agreement in the region, despite the complexities and uncertainties surrounding the negotiations.
