Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Sunday, Aug. 18, to meet with top officials as negotiations continue for a Gaza cease-fire and the release of hostages held by Hamas. This marks his ninth visit to the region since the Israel-Hamas war began in October.
“This is a decisive moment, probably the best, maybe the last opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a cease-fire and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security,” Blinken said during a press conference in Tel Aviv.
The talks will shift to Egypt later on Tuesday, Aug. 20, as the U.S. works with Egyptian and Qatari representatives to mediate an agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office expressed “cautious optimism” about the chances of a deal, but Hamas has accused Israel of stalling negotiations in order to continue military operations in Gaza.
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The war erupted on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants launched an attack in southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. Israel’s subsequent airstrikes in Gaza have killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. Blinken urged restraint from all parties, warning against any actions that could derail the talks.
Shortly after Blinken’s arrival, Hamas accused Netanyahu of obstructing the mediators’ efforts, delaying a potential agreement, and putting Israeli hostages in Gaza at risk of the same violence faced by Palestinians.
Concerns about a potential escalation involving Iran remain high, following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.
Tags: Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Gaza, Hamas, Iran, Isaac Herzog, Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Israel Defense Forces
[KARAH RUCKER]
TO THE WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST —
SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN IS IN ISRAEL TODAY MEETING WITH TOP ISRAELI OFFICIALS BEFORE TRAVELING TO EGYPT for ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS to REACH A CEASEFIRE AND HOSTAGE RELEASE AGREEMENT.
THIS IS HIS **NINTH TRIP TO THE REGION SINCE THE WAR FIRST BEGAN —
TELLING THE MEDIA AT A PRESS EVENT IN TEL AVIV —
THIS IS THEIR BEST — AND PERHAPS LAST CHANCE AT REACHING A DEAL.
ANTONY BLINKEN | U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE
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.
[KARAH RUCKER]
NetANYAHU’S OFFICE HAS EXPRESSED “CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM” THAT A DEAL CAN BE REACHED —
BUT HAMAS IS ACCUSING ISRAEL OF STALLING EFFORTS TO REACH A DEAL IN ORDER TO CONTINUE STRIKING INSIDE GAZA.
ISRAEL IS STILL BRACING FOR A POTENTIAL ATTACK BY IRAN — ADDING MORE PRESSURE FOR COMPROMISE AT THE NEGOTIATION TABLE.
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