Secretary of State Antony Blinken ended his high-stakes Middle East tour on Tuesday without a ceasefire accord with Israel and Hamas. Despite intense negotiations and a new US “bridging proposal” to close gaps, the much-needed accord remains unattainable.
Blinken met with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Egypt and Qatar. Israel has approved the latest proposal, but Hamas says it violates earlier agreements. Israel’s position in the Philadelphi Corridor has been a sticking point between Hamas and Egypt.
The US suggests a six-month foreign presence, which Egypt may support. A senior US source denied Netanyahu’s insistence on keeping soldiers in the area to prevent weapons smuggling.
Blinken said this could be “the best, possibly the last opportunity” to reach a settlement, but continuous disputes and unmet demands complicate matters. Blinken’s expedition shows how difficult peace is as Israeli forces fight Hamas and civilian losses rise.
The international community monitors negotiations for a breakthrough as Gaza’s fate and hostages remain in jeopardy.
Image Credit: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/blinken-middle-east-push-ceasefire-while-israeli-troops-advance-2024-06-10/
