Blinken Visits Middle East to Rally Support for Gaza Ceasefire Deal.
By Caroline Ameh
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has embarked on a mission to Egypt, aiming to garner regional backing for a Gaza peace initiative unveiled by President Joe Biden. Blinken’s visit marks his eighth journey to the Middle East since the onset of the Gaza conflict.
Upon his arrival, Blinken is scheduled to hold talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, followed by discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later on Monday. The proposed peace deal, supported by mediators including Qatar, seeks to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after months of negotiations.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has expressed reluctance to accept any ceasefire deal until Hamas’s military capabilities are dismantled, and all hostages are released. Recent clashes, including a raid by Israeli forces on the Nuseirat refugee camp, have intensified tensions, resulting in casualties on both sides.
While President Biden has framed the initiative as an Israeli proposal, the US faces resistance within Israel’s ruling coalition, particularly from far-right ministers who threaten to destabilize the government if the deal progresses. The resignation of former general Benny Gantz from the war cabinet underscores the internal divisions within Israel over the ceasefire proposal.
In Cairo, Blinken is expected to discuss the Rafah border crossing issue with President al-Sisi. The crossing serves as a crucial lifeline for humanitarian aid and medical evacuations in and out of Gaza. Egypt has demanded that the crossing be placed under the control of the internationally-recognized Palestinian Authority, a request rejected by Israel, leading to a standoff that risks escalating tensions between the two countries.
