US Urges Decisive Action as Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Deal Negotiations Reach Critical Point

 The United States is pushing for a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken declaring that the current negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage deal have reached a “decisive moment,” CNN reports.

Following a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday, Blinken stressed the urgency of the situation, stating that this is a critical opportunity to secure the release of hostages, establish a ceasefire, and “put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security.”

“It is time for everyone to get to yes, and to not look for any excuses to say no,” Blinken asserted. “It is time for it to get done. It’s also time to make sure that no one takes any steps that could derail this process.”

The US, Qatar, and Egypt have been working together to finalize a ceasefire plan, which was presented on Friday after two days of intense negotiations in Doha. Mediators are facing mounting pressure to reach an agreement, with the Middle East bracing for a potential Iranian attack on Israel and the humanitarian crisis and the death toll in Gaza exceeding 40,000.

Blinken’s visit to Israel is part of an intense diplomatic effort initiated by President Joe Biden to secure a deal. While acknowledging the heightened tensions in Israel due to potential attacks from Iran and its proxies, Blinken assured that the US has taken “decisive actions… to deter any attacks and if necessary to defend against any attacks.”

He further stressed the need to avoid any escalation or provocations that could jeopardize the ongoing negotiations or spark further conflict.

Echoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements, President Herzog blamed Hamas for the lack of progress in the negotiations, asserting that “people have to understand it starts with the refusal of Hamas to move forward.”

Despite the challenges, Herzog expressed optimism, stating that “we are simply still very hopeful that we can move forward in the negotiations that are held by the mediators.”

Hamas has rejected the latest proposal, claiming it lacks a permanent ceasefire and introduces new conditions for a prisoner exchange. The organization has also accused Netanyahu of obstructing a deal and reiterating its support for a three-phase proposal put forward by President Joe Biden. This proposal includes the release of hostages from Gaza, a complete ceasefire, and the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. Hamas called on mediators to compel Israel to implement this plan.

While Netanyahu has stated that Israel will not succumb to Hamas’s demands for an immediate end to the war in Gaza, he faces increasing pressure from the families of hostages to secure a deal. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has accused the Israeli government of “dragging its feet” and criticized Netanyahu for not doing enough to secure the return of hostages.

Blinken is on his ninth trip to the region since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023. He is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant later on Monday.

The urgency of the situation is rising amid the recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties. On Sunday, an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah killed seven members of the same family, including six children and their mother. Just a day earlier, an Israeli strike killed at least 15 people, all from the same family, also in Deir al-Balah, with nine children among the victims. The Israeli military has confirmed ongoing operations in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah.