Blinken Plans to Revisit Israel Amidst US Aspirations for Prolonging Gaza Ceasefire

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to revisit the Middle East this week, aiming to further the cease-fire in Gaza and facilitate the release of more hostages, as announced by the State Department on Monday. This visit marks his third to the region since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas last month.

Blinken’s itinerary includes travel to Israel and the West Bank, following his participation in meetings focused on Ukraine in Brussels and Skopje, North Macedonia. These meetings are to be attended by foreign ministers from NATO and the Organization for Peace and Security in Europe.

The background to his visit is Israel’s conditional pauses in military actions, which hinge on the progressive liberation of hostages held by Hamas since their attacks on Israel on October 7. Although the agreement was initially set to expire on Monday, it has been extended for two more days, aligning with Blinken’s arrival in Israel.

John Kirby, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, expressed on Monday the U.S.’s hope for an extended pause, contingent on Hamas’s ongoing release of hostages.

In Israel and the West Bank, Blinken plans to discuss a range of topics, including Israel’s self-defense rights in compliance with international law, ongoing efforts to free remaining hostages, protection of civilian lives during Israeli operations in Gaza, and speeding up humanitarian assistance in the region. This was outlined by State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Blinken will also explore the principles for a post-conflict Gaza, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, and strategies to prevent the conflict’s escalation.

Expected to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the occupied West Bank, Blinken and other U.S. officials see a significant role for the Palestinian Authority in governing Gaza post-conflict.

Following his visits to Israel and the West Bank, Blinken will head to the United Arab Emirates to engage in discussions with regional leaders at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai.

His diplomatic efforts have been intensive, focusing on preventing the Gaza conflict from spreading, expanding humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, securing hostage releases, and coordinating the exit of foreigners and dual nationals from Gaza to Egypt.

Previously, Blinken has visited Israel and Jordan multiple times, with additional stops in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE.

Blinken will arrive in Israel after participating in an OSCE foreign ministers meeting in Skopje, potentially setting the stage for a U.S.-Russia encounter over Ukraine, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expected to attend.

At the NATO meeting in Brussels, discussions will include the first foreign minister-level NATO-Ukraine Council meeting, aimed at enhancing cooperation and preparing Ukraine for potential NATO membership. Jim O’Brien, a top U.S. diplomat for Europe, emphasized continued support for Ukraine until Russia ceases its aggression.

The NATO meeting will also address Western Balkans tensions, with possible discussions on increasing NATO’s military presence in response to rising hostilities between Serbia and Kosovo.

Recently, Albania’s prime minister called for a stronger NATO military presence in Kosovo amid ethnic violence, potentially leading to a broader Balkan conflict. NATO has already augmented its Kosovo forces, with about 4,500 troops currently deployed.

Blinken will highlight U.S. and NATO commitment to democracy and stability in the region, including supporting countries’ aspirations to join the European Union, as mentioned by O’Brien.

The unresolved issue between Serbia and Kosovo, with Serbia not recognizing Kosovo’s 2008 independence declaration, remains a topic of concern. Both nations aspire to join the EU, but Brussels has cautioned that a lack of compromise could hinder their accession.

Finally, the NATO ministers are set to plan for the alliance’s 75th anniversary summit, scheduled for July 2024 in Washington.