U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Monday that the ongoing negotiations for a truce in Gaza may be “the last chance” to reach a ceasefire in the war that has been raging for over ten months between Israel and Hamas.
“This is a critical moment, likely the best and perhaps the last chance to bring hostages home, secure a ceasefire, and set everyone on a better path towards lasting peace and security,” Blinken said during a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, marking his ninth visit to the region since the war erupted on October 7.
U.S. President Joe Biden stated on Sunday that a ceasefire in Gaza “is still possible.”
Biden’s remarks come despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas accusing each other of sabotaging efforts to reach an agreement at the start of Blinken’s visit to Israel.
Biden told reporters after spending the weekend at Camp David that talks are ongoing, and “we will not give up.”
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that Israel remain in control of the Philadelphi Route along the Gaza-Egypt border, despite Israeli negotiators’ views that this demand prevents any possibility of an agreement.
Netanyahu’s statement was issued shortly after Blinken’s arrival in Israel for their Monday meeting. His office stated, “There are individuals who continue to leak information that undermines the ability to reach a deal.”
Israeli media reported on Sunday that a delegation, including representatives from the Israeli government, military, and Shin Bet, had traveled to Cairo.
U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari-mediated talks are set to resume in Cairo this week after meetings held on Thursday and Friday in Doha to try to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.
Following two days of talks in Doha this week, which Hamas did not attend, the mediation countries—the United States, Egypt, and Qatar—announced a new proposal that “narrows the gaps” between Israel and Hamas to achieve a ceasefire in the war that has lasted for over ten months and to secure the release of Israeli prisoners.
