US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is embarking on his eighth tour of the Middle East in an effort to broker a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza. His visit will include stops in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Qatar, where he will seek support for the latest draft of the ceasefire deal presented by President Joe Biden.
Despite the proposal being put forward by the United States, neither Israel nor Hamas has fully endorsed the plan, leading to continued fighting in the region. Air raids have hit various parts of the Gaza Strip, causing further destruction and casualties.
During his visit, Blinken will meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Alongside discussing the ceasefire proposal, he will also address the reopening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, which plays a crucial role in delivering aid to Gaza.
The proposed ceasefire deal, outlined by President Biden on May 31, includes the exchange of prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, and plans for the reconstruction of the territory, which has been heavily damaged during the conflict.
To support the proposal, the United States has been working on multiple drafts of a resolution to be presented at the United Nations Security Council. The latest version of the proposal differs in significant ways from previous efforts, explicitly stating that Israel has accepted the ceasefire deal and ensuring that the ceasefire will continue for at least six weeks, with the possibility of renewal as negotiations progress.
However, some members of the Security Council are pushing for a categorical and permanent ceasefire. The ongoing violence has led to the deaths of over 37,000 Palestinians and the injury of approximately 84,000, with the majority being women and children.
As Blinken embarks on his tour, tensions are escalating between Israel and Hezbollah along the border. Both sides have signaled their readiness for war after months of border fighting.
The visit comes just days after the Israeli military carried out an operation in Nuseirat, central Gaza, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians. Hamas claims that additional captives, including one with US citizenship, were also killed during the raid.
While the resignation of Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz is unlikely to immediately threaten the Netanyahu administration, it further solidifies their reliance on far-right allies.
Throughout his tour, Blinken aims to gather support for the proposed ceasefire and bring an end to the devastating conflict in the region.
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