Blinken journeys to Egypt for peace negotiations as Israel announces fresh war objective
No major breakthroughs anticipated in cease-fire agreement during Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip.
The Biden administration's efforts to secure a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas through shuttle diplomacy continued on Tuesday, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken scheduled to fly to Egypt in an attempt to "establish broader regional security."
The U.S., in collaboration with Egypt and Qatar, has been facilitating indirect talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has lasted for almost a year since the devastating Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that resulted in the deaths of 1,139 people and the abduction of 251 Israelis.
Despite Blinken's 10th visit to the Middle East since the October 2023 terrorist attacks, finding an end to the war remains unlikely.
Amos Hochstein, the US envoy, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during his trip to Israel. According to Matt Miller, the State Department spokesperson, there is no set timeline for a deal.
He stated that they were working quickly to find a proposal that would bring both parties to agree.
The cease-fire deal that the Biden administration had hoped to achieve last month has reached a stalemate as both Hamas and Israel have made demands regarding access to the Philadelphi Corridor, a non-negotiable requirement for both sides.
Blinken's upcoming trip is unlikely to produce significant advancements and follows Israel's recent update of its military objectives against both Hamas and Hezbollah.
The goals of the operation now include the elimination of Hamas' military and government bodies in Gaza, the return of all hostages, ensuring a safe environment for Israelis living along the southern border, and the safe return of some 60,000 Israeli citizens to their homes in the north.
Over 65,000 Israelis were evacuated from their homes near the Lebanese border after the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, due to fears that Hezbollah could launch a Hamas-style attack.
Although Hamas' attack last year had devastating effects, security experts have long warned that Hezbollah, which is stronger financially and militarily, poses a greater threat to Israeli security.
Israel will continue to actively work towards its goal of returning citizens to their northern homes, as stated in a late-night announcement from Netanyahu's office on Monday.
On Monday, both the prime minister and defense minister stated that Israel is considering altering its military presence along its northern frontier.
Both Netanyahu and Gallant have not disclosed the specifics of the security changes, but they have conveyed to the U.S. that Israel will act in its best interest for security.
Planet Chronicle' Yonat Friling contributed to this article.
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