Blinken Visits Qatar to Discuss Gaza Mediation

Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Doha on Wednesday to engage in discussions with key mediator Qatar following Hamas’s response to a US-led proposal for a ceasefire in war-torn Gaza.

During his four-country tour of the Middle East to urge Hamas to accept the truce plan, Blinken will hold meetings with top leadership in the gas-rich Gulf state, which has been facilitating communication with the Palestinian militant group.

Hamas, in its response to President Joe Biden’s plan presented on May 31, proposed modifications late Tuesday, including a ceasefire timeline and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, as per a source familiar with the negotiations.

The Biden plan outlines an Israeli withdrawal from “major population centers” and a six-week ceasefire initially, which could be extended as negotiations progress towards a permanent agreement.

The White House stated on Tuesday that the United States is currently “evaluating” the response.

US officials had anticipated Hamas to seek some adjustments rather than immediately accepting the entire deal, and are hoping to identify common ground to reconcile differences with Israel.

Biden is keen on ending a conflict that has had a severe impact on civilians and has caused divisions within his Democratic Party ahead of a close election.

During his visit to Israel on Tuesday, Blinken confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to the plan, although the Israeli government, which includes far-right members, has not formally endorsed it.

Blinken also urged Hamas’s elusive Gaza-based leader, Yahya Sinwar, to consider the proposal, questioning if Sinwar’s actions were truly in the best interest of the people he claims to represent.

Israel has accused Sinwar of orchestrating an October 7 attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,194 individuals, mostly civilians, according to Israeli official figures.

In response, the Israeli army conducted a harsh offensive in Gaza, resulting in at least 37,164 deaths, with the majority being civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.

During his visit to Doha, Blinken will hold meetings with the emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who is also the emirate’s top diplomat, as announced by the State Department.

Later in the day, Blinken will travel to Italy to join President Biden at the Group of Seven summit of major industrial democracies.