The Secretary of State has landed in Tel Aviv to add more diplomatic pressure on the Hamas-Israel war initiative in Gaza. Middle East tour. Blinken Pushes for Gaza Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Violence.
Antony Blinken is expected to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today over the finalization of a ceasefire pact with Hamas. The U.S. Secretary of State arrives at a critical time. When the fight against violence in Gaza heats up. He will also have meetings with the president of Israel. And minister of defense during his visit. After these, he will be traveling to Egypt tomorrow for further diplomacy.
This makes it Mr. Blinken’s ninth trip to Israel since hostilities erupted in Gaza. Underlining his significance in ongoing negotiations as well as the need for an urgent peace agreement.
Broader Regional Engagement BlinkenÂ
Blinken held meetings with other leaders from Middle East aside from visiting Israel. He had a phone conversation with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister discussing Yemen, Gaza. And Sudan among others. On this note. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister accentuated that there should be more international political leverage put on Israel for reaching a ceasefire GAZA.
Continued Violence in Gaza BlinkenÂ
However, Israeli forces’ cruelty continues unabated in Gaza. Relentless bombings have been carried out at Jabalia refugee camp Deir al-Balah. And Khan Yunis as many Palestinians have been killed over recent attacks by Israeli air strikes which have led to 25 deaths only within the previous twenty-four hours and injured 72 others.
One such incident occurred yesterday where eight members of one family were killed during an air raid on Deir al-Balah thereby escalating death tolls even further since hundreds are dying daily from this new round that started on 7th October making total number of Palestinian casualties rise to 40,099. While those injured now stand at 92,609.
Challenges To The Ceasefire
As per a senior member of Hamas, the most serious impediment to the implementation of a ceasefire and to prisoner exchange deal is the Israeli PM, Netanyahu. The protracted violence and political impasses have made consensus ever less possible.
In another incident, Mark Smith an official in the UK’s foreign office tendered his resignation after being angered by a decision to sell weapons to Israel. He condemned the British government’s action accusing that it has become a party to war crimes. Because it supported the Jewish state.
While diplomatic negotiations continue, Gaza remains in a serious situation, necessitating urgent international intervention to stop more deaths and damage.
