Blinken Heads to Egypt, Skipping Israel Amid Stalled Ceasefire Talks
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return to Egypt on Wednesday for talks on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, CNN reports.
Notably, his visit will omit a stop in Israel, marking the first time since the October 7, 2023 attacks that Blinken has visited the Middle East without engaging with the Israeli government. This decision comes amidst growing skepticism that a ceasefire and hostage deal can be reached before President Joe Biden leaves office.
Blinken’s trip to Egypt is focused on securing the release of hostages held by Hamas and reaching a ceasefire in Gaza. The State Department announced that Blinken will “meet with Egyptian officials to discuss ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza that secures the release of all hostages, alleviates the suffering of the Palestinian people, and helps establish broader regional security.” He will also co-chair the opening of the US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties and deepen economic development.
While Egypt plays a crucial role in mediating the conflict, Blinken’s visit is unlikely to result in a major breakthrough. The ultimate success hinges on the political will of both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and there are increasing doubts that either leader is genuinely interested in reaching a deal.
Further complicating the situation, the families of the US hostages held by Hamas will be visiting Washington, DC this week, urging the US government to prioritize their loved ones’ release.
The US accuses Hamas of adding “new demands” to the proposal after the murder of six hostages in Gaza. However, these demands have not been publicly detailed. Similarly, Netanyahu has been accused of adding new conditions to the negotiations, despite initially expressing agreement to the US proposal.
Blinken’s last visit to Israel in August saw Netanyahu seemingly agree to the “bridging proposal.” But the next day, he reportedly told hostage families that Israel would never leave the Philadelphi corridor, a key aspect of the deal. This statement, described by US officials as “maximalist” and “not constructive,” led to a renewed stalemate.
Despite Netanyahu’s public comments undermining the peace process, US officials have been reluctant to directly criticize him. Instead, Blinken has stressed that both Israel and Hamas need to “get to yes” on the “remaining issues” related to a ceasefire and hostage deal.
