Blinken presses Hamas for Gaza truce amid Israel talks

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been vocal about the need for Hamas to agree to a ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza conflict. During his seventh visit to the region since the conflict began in October, he emphasized the importance of reaching a truce, particularly following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that Israeli forces would invade Rafah with or without an agreement.

Netanyahu’s administration has set a deadline for Hamas to respond to a proposed ceasefire plan, which involves a 40-day truce and an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. This proposal was put forward during talks facilitated by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar in Cairo.

While Hamas has returned from Cairo to Qatar to deliberate the proposal, there is skepticism about their willingness to agree to a temporary ceasefire, recalling the week-long truce in November that led to the release of over 100 hostages but did not prevent further military actions.

The truce talks are seen as critical not just for halting the immediate violence but also as a potential starting point for more sustained peace efforts. Blinken, speaking in Israel and meeting with families of hostages, reiterated the urgency of resolving the hostage situation and the broader conflict, emphasizing the need for immediate action from Hamas.

On the humanitarian front, Blinken highlighted the efforts to increase aid deliveries to Gaza, correlating a potential ceasefire with enhanced relief operations. He underscored this during his visit to Jordan, where he initiated a convoy of Jordanian aid through Israel to Gaza.

The conflict has already resulted in significant casualties and displacement, prompting international concerns about the potential for a large-scale humanitarian crisis, especially if Israeli troops launch a ground invasion into Rafah, a densely populated area currently sheltering many displaced civilians.

Blinken’s tour in the region is part of broader diplomatic efforts involving multiple nations, all aimed at mitigating the impact of the conflict and moving towards a resolution that addresses both immediate and long-term issues.