Blinken’s Visit to Israel Comes as Ceasefire Negotiations Continue

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel on Saturday as part of the United States’s efforts to secure a cease-fire in Gaza and negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas terrorists.

Blinken will “continue intensive diplomatic efforts to conclude the agreement for a ceasefire and release of hostages and detainees,” State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said in a statement on Friday.

The visit comes after the United States put forward a “bridging proposal,” with backing from Egypt and Qatar, during cease-fire talks over the past 48 hours in Doha.

President Joe Biden said Friday he directed U.S. negotiators in Doha to present the comprehensive proposal which would lay the foundation for coming to a final cease-fire deal. He also spoke with Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who expressed “strong support” for the proposal.

“I am sending Secretary Blinken to Israel to reaffirm my iron-clad support for Israel’s security, continue our intensive efforts to conclude this agreement and to underscore that with the comprehensive ceasefire and hostage release deal now in sight, no one in the region should take actions to undermine this process,” Biden added.

The bridging proposal, announced jointly by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar on Friday, aims to halt the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Details on the proposal are sparse, but Patel said it would establish a swift ceasefire, facilitate the release of hostages taken by Hamas, ensure humanitarian aid is distributed, and prepare the way for broader regional stability.

Earlier on Friday, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar released a joint statement outlining the progress of talks in Doha and provided some information about the proposal.

“These talks were serious and constructive and were conducted in a positive atmosphere,” the joint statement reads.

The proposal presented by the United States on Friday aimed to close the remaining gaps of disagreements between Israel and Hamas, setting the stage for swift implementation of the cease-fire and related humanitarian measures.

“This proposal builds on areas of agreement over the past week, and bridges remaining gaps in the manner that allows for a swift implementation of the deal,” the joint statement reads.

“Working teams will continue technical work over the coming days on the details of implementation, including arrangements to implement the agreement’s extensive humanitarian provisions, as well as specifics relating to hostages and detainees.”

The Israeli prime minister’s office issued a statement saying it “appreciates the efforts of the U.S. and the mediators to dissuade Hamas from its refusal to a hostage release deal.”

Hamas said in a statement that the bridging proposal diverged significantly from what they had agreed to in principle from May.

The proposal presented on Friday adds clarifications to a plan announced by Biden in May. Hamas had proposed amendments to that plan, and Israel had suggested clarifications. This led each side to accuse the other of trying to ruin the deal.

Blinken has made repeated in-person visits to Israel, urging an end to the conflict that began after Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking about 250 hostages.

Avoiding a broader war has become an urgent imperative for world leaders with fears of an Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran late last month. A retaliatory attack after the death of Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr, an Iranian proxy, in Beirut, has also been expected for weeks.

Israel hasn’t confirmed or denied a role in Haniyeh’s assassination but has taken responsibility for the airstrike targeting Shukr.

World leaders have called on Iran not to retaliate. Iranian leaders have said calls not to retaliate “lack political logic.” Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has said Israel “paved the way for a severe punishment upon itself with this action.”

Amid talks, Israel has kept up its offensive in Gaza.

Senior U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari officials will continue talks in Cairo next week with an aim to conclude the process under the terms put forward in the bridging proposal.

“The path is now set for that outcome, saving lives, bringing relief to the people of Gaza, and de-escalating regional tensions,” the joint statement of the three nations concluded.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.