Blinken seeks an elusive ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, saying the window for a ceasefire in Gaza is closing fast
“It’s time to get it done. It’s also time to make sure no one takes any steps that could jeopardize that process,” Blinken said.
“We are working to ensure that there is no escalation, that there are no provocations, that there are no actions that could in any way deter us from implementing this agreement or that the conflict escalates to other places and with greater intensity.”
Israel’s foreign minister said it was a “tense moment” in Israel and warned against any steps that could escalate tensions in the region after Iran and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah threatened to avenge the recent killing of two militant leaders.
Herzog, who serves in a largely ceremonial role, said the Israelis wanted to secure the return of hostages still held in Gaza since the October 7 attack that sparked the war “as soon as possible”.
“There is no greater humanitarian goal and no greater humanitarian cause than releasing our hostages,” Herzog told Blinken.
The marathon ceasefire talks that have been going on for months are set to continue this week in Cairo, following a two-day meeting in Doha last week.
Blinken will step up U.S. diplomatic pressure to ensure negotiators reach a breakthrough later this week, after the U.S. put forward bridging proposals last week that mediating countries say could bridge the gap between the warring parties.
The mediating countries Qatar, the United States and Egypt have so far failed to resolve their differences sufficiently to reach an agreement in months of irregular negotiations. And the violence in Gaza continued unabated on Sunday.
Hours after Blinken’s arrival, Hamas said it blamed Israel’s Netanyahu for “frustrating the efforts of mediators,” delaying an agreement and subjecting Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip to the same aggression that Palestinians face.
The urgency to reach a ceasefire has increased amid fears of escalation across the region. Iran has threatened retaliation against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.
The war broke out after Hamas fighters invaded Israel last year, killing around 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures.
According to Palestinian health authorities, Israel’s subsequent military campaign left more than 40,000 Palestinians dead, mostly civilians, and large parts of the Gaza Strip in ruins.
Additional reporting from Reuters
