IRIA News

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken began his four-nation trip on January 6, 2024. Blinken visited Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and Israel and concluded his trip with public divisions between the United States and Israel over the Gaza truce deal.

Blinken started his trip in Egypt where he met with the President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Secretary Blinken and President El-Sisi discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas.

According to the U.S. State Department, Blinken expressed appreciation for Egypt’s leadership role in facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza.

Blinken also emphasized the United States’ rejection of any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and commitment to establishing a Palestinian state that provides peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

On the same day, Blinken flew to Qatar where he met with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha. He also met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

Push for a ceasefire agreement

Blinken’s talks with Egyptian and Qatari leaders were focused on pushing for a new temporary cease-fire in Gaza, and an increase in humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians.

During a press conference in Doha, Blinken told reporters that Hamas’ response to the proposal has been shared with Israel. He said, “We will be working as hard as we possibly can to try to get an agreement so that we can move forward with not only a renewed but an expanded agreement on hostages and all the benefits that would bring with it.”

I met with Amir Sheikh @TamimBinHamad in Doha to discuss efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas. We appreciate Qatar’s partnership and indispensable role in mediating. pic.twitter.com/NYUp4NvPk7

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) February 6, 2024

Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told reporters through a translator, “We have received a reply from Hamas with regards to the general framework of the agreement, with regards to hostages. The reply includes some comments, but in general, it is positive.”

The Qatari prime minister expressed optimism and anticipation that the negotiations would soon yield positive results regarding the hostage release in exchange for an extended cease-fire deal. However, he refrained from providing further details due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Meanwhile, in Washington, U.S. President Joe Biden described the response from Hamas as “a little over the top” and said the negotiation is continuing.

Hamas’s three-phase truce

Although several details of the proposed truce agreement have been kept confidential, some media outlets reported that Hamas has proposed a three-phase truce plan.

As outlined in the offer document:

• During the initial 45-day period of the ceasefire, Israeli women hostages, males under 19, and elderly or ill individuals would be released. In return, Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons would be freed. Additionally, Israel would withdraw its troops from populated areas in Gaza.
• During the second phase, male Israeli hostages would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners and Israeli forces would leave Gaza completely.
• In the third phase, both sides would exchange the remains and bodies of those killed in the conflict.

The proposed deal would provide a 135-day-long pause in the ongoing fighting. During the ceasefire period, deliveries of food and other aid to Gaza increase

Around 1,300 people were killed during the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on 7 October last year while more than 27,700 Palestinians have been killed and at least 65,000 injured by the war launched by Israel in response, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Israel’s rejection of truce deal

As he made a final stop in his fifth trip to the Middle East since the October 7 attacks, Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv to meet with Israeli leadership and to discuss the possibility of a long-term ceasefire in Gaza.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the proposed ceasefire saying “total victory” in Gaza is possible within months. Despite a roadblock, Blinken said there was still room for negotiation toward an agreement.

Calling Hamas’ position “delusional,” Netanyahu renewed a pledge to destroy the movement, saying there was no alternative for Israel but to bring about its collapse. “The day after is the day after Hamas. All of Hamas,” he told a press conference, insisting that total victory against Hamas was the only solution to the four-month-old Gaza war.

In my seventh trip to Israel since the horrific Hamas attacks of October 7th, I met with officials in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to discuss the latest on the ground, my travels and recent meetings this week with regional leaders, and the urgency of the work that lies ahead of us. pic.twitter.com/datNMHllC0

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) February 8, 2024

A senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, described Netanyahu’s remarks as “political bravado” that showed the Israeli leader’s intention to further pursue conflict in the region.

Blinken’s remarks following a meeting with Netanyahu implied that achieving a truce agreement was still possible. “There are aspects in what (Hamas has) proposed that are not feasible,” Blinken stated during a late-night press conference at a Tel Aviv hotel, without specifying which aspects he referred to.

Blinken added, “We also perceive potential in the proposals received to pursue negotiations and explore the possibility of reaching an agreement. That is our intention moving forward.”

Assurance for humanitarian aids

Blinken made a stop in Ramallah to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. During his visit to the West Bank, he conveyed Washington’s commitment to increasing the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.

According to the U.S. State Department, Blinken reiterated the United States’ support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state as the best pathway to enduring peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike. He also discussed the benefits of revitalizing the Palestinian Authority.