Breakthrough achieved

Blinken: “Perhaps the last chance for peace”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently in Israel for talks. But the chances of a hostage deal with Hamas are not too rosy ...

(Bild: AFP)

During the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a surprising breakthrough was achieved for a possible end to the Gaza war. According to Blinken, Israel will agree to the US proposal for a hostage deal. This also includes a ceasefire. 

The US Secretary of State arrived in Israel on Monday for talks. After a meeting with Israel's President Isaac Herzog, Blinken spoke for three hours with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His office stated that the talks were positive. Critics accuse Netanyahu of blocking an agreement on a ceasefire because he fears the collapse of his governing coalition if he makes concessions to Hamas.

Hamas announces further suicide attacks
However, Hamas is also currently rejecting the current state of negotiations. The radical Islamic Hamas has also expressed doubts about the chances of reaching an agreement. Following an explosion in Tel Aviv, it announced its intention to resume a campaign of suicide attacks.

Blinken with Israel's President Isaac Herzog

(Bild: AP)

Blinken nevertheless had a success story to announce that was probably not expected. The US Secretary of State announced on Monday evening that Israel would agree to the US proposal for a hostage agreement. The proposal includes both the release of the hostages and a ceasefire. Blinken said that it was now up to Hamas to say "yes". A reaction from the radical Islamists was not initially available. On Tuesday, the US Secretary of State will travel on to Egypt, after which he is expected to visit Qatar.

"Perhaps the last opportunity"
Shortly after the talks, the US Secretary emphasized the urgency of reaching an agreement. "This is a critical moment, probably the best opportunity, perhaps the last opportunity, to bring the hostages home, to achieve a ceasefire and to put everyone on a better path to lasting peace and security," Blinken told journalists. Last week, the talks in Qatar were adjourned without a breakthrough. The negotiations will continue this week on the basis of the aforementioned US mediation proposal.

"Prevent the conflict from escalating further"
It was necessary to prevent "the conflict from escalating into other regions and becoming even more intense", said Blinken. There was concern about possible attacks on Israel from Iran, the Lebanese Shia militia Hezbollah and others. US President Joe Biden is therefore taking decisive steps, such as deploying troops to the region, to prevent any attacks "and to defend against any attacks if necessary".

Israel's President Herzog accused the radical Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas of bearing the main responsibility for the failure of the talks mediated by the USA, Egypt and Qatar in recent months due to its attitude of refusal. "We are still very hopeful that we can make progress in the negotiations," Herzog said at the same time. They want to see the hostages "home as soon as possible".

Demonstrators demanded a hostage deal in order to free the hostages.

(Bild: AP)

These people no longer believe in a military solution to the conflict.

(Bild: AP)

(Bild: AP)

Demonstrators also demanded a hostage deal
During Antony Blinken's visit to Israel, hundreds of people demonstrated in front of the US Secretary of State's hotel in Tel Aviv in favor of an agreement on the release of Israeli hostages held by the Islamist Hamas. Blinken was meeting with relatives of the abductees at the time. The demonstrators had called on Blinken to put pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu's government to agree to a hostage deal.