Jerusalem/Tel Aviv: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a stark warning to Israel and Hamas on Monday, stating that the ongoing negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and a hostage release deal may represent the last opportunity to end the devastating war. Blinken urged both sides to move toward a much-needed agreement, emphasizing the urgency of the moment.
Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group, has expressed skepticism about reaching a deal, particularly after last week’s talks in Qatar stalled without a resolution. Despite this, negotiations are expected to resume this week, with the U.S. offering a new “bridging proposal” to mediate the process.
While in Israel, Blinken met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog before holding discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued their assault in Gaza, advancing further into Khan Younis, according to local residents.
“This is a decisive moment, probably the best, maybe the last opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a ceasefire and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security,” Blinken told reporters before his meeting with Herzog.
Negotiations have been deadlocked for months, with both sides remaining firm on their respective positions. Israel has consistently stated that the war will only end with the complete destruction of Hamas as both a military and political entity. Hamas, on the other hand, is pushing for a permanent ceasefire, rejecting any temporary solutions.
Central points of contention include Israel’s continued military presence inside Gaza, particularly along the Egyptian border, and the movement of Palestinians within the territory. Additionally, disagreements persist regarding the number and identity of prisoners to be released in a potential swap.
Hamas accused Netanyahu on Sunday of “thwarting the mediators’ efforts”, while Turkey, after meeting with Hamas representatives, claimed that the group believes U.S. officials are portraying an overly optimistic outlook on the negotiations. Netanyahu, in response, told his cabinet that Israel is engaged in negotiations, “not a scenario in which we just give and give.”
The conflict erupted on October 7 last year when Hamas militants launched an unprecedented cross-border assault into Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and kidnapping around 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports. Israel has since retaliated with a military campaign that has devastated large parts of Gaza, displacing nearly all of the 2.3 million residents, and leading to widespread famine, disease, and the deaths of at least 40,000 people, according to Palestinian health officials.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported on Monday that 207 of its staff members have been killed since the war began, including engineers, teachers, and healthcare workers.
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Escalation Risks Loom
The conflict continues to destabilize the broader Middle East, with border skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group based in Lebanon, intensifying the situation. Blinken stressed the need to avoid further provocations that could derail the delicate negotiations. “It’s also time to make sure that no one takes any steps that could derail this process, and so we’re working to make sure that there is no escalation, that there are no provocations,” Blinken warned.
Shortly after Blinken arrived in Israel on Sunday, a bomb detonated near a synagogue in Tel Aviv, killing the bomber and injuring a bystander, according to Israeli police. Hezbollah drone strikes on Israel’s northern border continued on Monday, further escalating tensions. Blinken is scheduled to meet with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant after his discussions with Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, Israeli military advances north of Khan Younis on Monday have severed the coastal road, restricting access between the city and areas to the north. Clashes in the area have been reported, and Israel has ramped up its bombardment of Gaza City’s suburbs, though no casualties have yet been reported.
