US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to the Middle East this Saturday as part of diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire deal in Gaza. President Joe Biden has expressed optimism about reaching an agreement that would see the release of captives held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails. Biden has stated that a deal is “much, much closer” than before, but emphasized that there are still a few issues that need to be resolved.
Previous attempts to broker a ceasefire have failed, and there has been criticism of the US for not using its leverage with Israel. Biden has also spoken with the leaders of Qatar and Egypt, who have expressed strong support for US efforts. While ceasefire talks in Doha were paused on Friday, they are expected to resume next week in Cairo with the hope of reaching an agreement.
A senior US official described the current diplomatic efforts as the most productive in months, with consensus among all participants that progress is being made. Negotiators have been able to address issues related to the exchange of captives and prisoners, but challenges remain regarding the Gaza-Egypt border control and the movement of Palestinians within Gaza.
An Israeli delegation, along with mediators and officials from the US, Qatar, and Egypt, has been involved in the talks. The goal is to prevent a wider war in the region, particularly considering Iran’s threat to retaliate against Israel following the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran. The White House is hopeful that a ceasefire in Gaza can be achieved to de-escalate tensions and save lives.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
