Blinken returns to Mideast amid Israel’s political scramble for truce

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading back to the Middle East this week, with the fate of a proposed Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal still uncertain. This follows the dramatic rescue of four Israeli hostages in Gaza and internal turmoil in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

Despite receiving the proposal 10 days ago, Hamas has not yet responded. Blinken will begin his eighth diplomatic mission to the region since the conflict started in October, meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo before traveling to Israel, Jordan, and Qatar.

President Joe Biden, Blinken, and other U.S. officials have praised the hostage rescue operation, which also resulted in significant Palestinian civilian casualties. This might complicate cease-fire efforts, potentially emboldening Israel and strengthening Hamas’ resolve to continue fighting, which began with Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel.

Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, noted the uncertainty around Hamas’ reaction to the operation, stating that no formal response has been received yet.

In Cairo and Qatar, Blinken will emphasize the need for Hamas to agree to a three-phase proposal. This plan includes releasing more hostages and initiating a temporary pause in hostilities, possibly leading to a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

“We hope that a unified international community will persuade Hamas to agree,” Sullivan told ABC’s “This Week.”

However, Hamas might not be the only challenge. While many Israelis support the deal, Netanyahu has expressed doubts and rejected calls for a cease-fire until Hamas is eradicated. His far-right allies have threatened to bring down his government if he moves forward with the plan. Benny Gantz, a centrist, resigned from the War Cabinet, demanding a new plan for postwar Gaza despite Netanyahu’s plea for him to stay.

Blinken has regularly met with key Israeli figures like Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Gantz, and opposition leader Yair Lapid. Officials say Gantz’s resignation won’t necessarily alter Blinken’s schedule.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated that Blinken will use this trip to explain how the cease-fire proposal could benefit both Israelis and Palestinians. The deal aims to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, reduce tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, and pave the way for broader Israeli-Arab integration, enhancing Israel’s long-term security.

Despite Blinken’s frequent visits since the conflict began, the fighting has continued, with over 36,700 Palestinians killed, according to Gaza health ministry reports, which do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The war has also severely disrupted the flow of essential supplies to Palestinians, causing widespread hunger. U.N. agencies warn that over 1 million people in Gaza could face extreme starvation by mid-July.

In Jordan, Blinken will attend an emergency international conference focused on improving aid delivery to Gaza.