Blinken: 'Crucial moment' for reaching ceasefire agreement

2024-08-19 16:13:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is staying in the Middle East, where he is expected to step up diplomatic efforts to end the ten-month war in Gaza. In a meeting with senior Israeli officials today, Secretary Blinken called efforts to reach a cease-fire "a decisive and perhaps the last moment" for achieving lasting peace. But even though the chances of reaching a ceasefire agreement are high, according to analysts, its implementation presents a challenge.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is making his ninth visit to Israel since the attack by the militant group Hamas on October 7, to give weight to diplomatic efforts to reach a cease-fire agreement in Gaza.

In a meeting with Israeli officials, he said that diplomatic efforts, mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, may be the last chance to secure the release of the hostages and avoid an escalation of the war.

"This is a decisive moment. Certainly the best opportunity, perhaps the last one, to ensure the release of the hostages, to reach a ceasefire and to direct the processes towards lasting peace and security..." said Mr. Blinken.

He said it is also important that neither side take actions that could undermine this process, stressing that the United States is making efforts to contain the escalation.

Secretary Blinken is visiting Israel amid concerns about possible attacks by Iran and groups close to it, following Israeli operations that killed senior leaders of militant groups in Lebanon and the assassination of the political leader of Hamas in Iran, which Israel is suspected of being behind. .

A bomb exploded in Tel Aviv on Sunday night, hours after Mr. Blinken's visit to Israel began. Hamas and the Islamic Jihad group claimed responsibility for the attack. According to Israeli media, the target of the attack was a synagogue.

"I know this is a difficult time in Israel, with deep concerns about the possibility of attacks from Iran, Hezbollah and other groups. As President Biden has said, the United States is taking decisive steps to deploy forces that will prevent attacks and, if necessary, defend against attacks," added Secretary Blinken.

The mediators are expected to meet later this week in Cairo, where Secretary Blinken will stay on Tuesday. The deal being discussed is expected to have three phases: the release of all hostages from Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

According to the national security expert, Howard Stoffer at the University of New Haven, even if the parties agree, the implementation of the agreement will be complicated.

"There may be a difference between the parties as to who can be released. The process of withdrawing from Gaza is complicated because Prime Minister Netanyahu wants to impose restrictions on the entry of armed persons from the south to the north of Gaza, he declared.

Israeli authorities meanwhile said they are making preparations to face a possible attack in the northern city of Haifa. Near the port, Ramdam Hospital is transforming its underground car park into a space where 1,200 hospital beds can be moved in the event of an attack that could last 60 days.

The militant group Hezbollah, which the US government has designated as a terrorist organization, has been hitting northern Israel with rockets and drones on a daily basis.

"Israel is not surrounded by friendly countries. We are preparing for attack and are ready for any situation. There are diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation, but we are getting ready for any scenario," said Israeli army spokesman David Avraham.

Efforts to reach a ceasefire deal are underway as the death toll in Gaza since the start of the war has reached 40,000, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, which does not distinguish between civilians and militants.

Israel says it has killed 17,000 Hamas militants, but has provided no evidence to support this claim./ Voa