The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, is set to visit Israel on Saturday as part of urgent diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and finalize a hostage deal. This announcement comes following high-level negotiations in Doha involving the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.
During the negotiations, the US presented a 'bridging proposal' aimed at resolving key differences between Hamas and Israel to facilitate a swift implementation of the deal. Specific details of the proposal were not disclosed in the joint statement released by the three main negotiators.
The State Department's deputy spokesperson stated that Blinken's visit to Israel is intended to continue the diplomatic efforts initiated by the US, with support from Egypt and Qatar, to reach an agreement on the ceasefire and the release of hostages and detainees. The proposed deal aims to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, secure the release of all hostages, ensure the distribution of humanitarian assistance in the region, and promote broader regional stability.
Secretary Blinken will emphasize the importance of all parties in the region avoiding escalation or actions that could hinder the finalization of the agreement. His visit follows a series of in-person meetings by top US officials to apply public pressure and engage with Israeli government officials on the Gaza issue.
The US and its allies are also working to prevent potential retaliatory actions from Iran or its proxies following the killing of a senior Hamas official in Tehran. Concerns are high that such actions could lead to a wider conflict in the region.
Blinken is expected to meet with key Israeli government officials during his visit to Israel, continuing the US's efforts to broker a lasting ceasefire and resolution to the Gaza crisis.
