US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on Israel and Hamas to seize what he described as potentially the “last opportunity” to secure a truce and a deal for the release of hostages.
Blinken made the appeal during his visit to Israel on Monday, where he met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“This is a decisive moment, probably the best, and maybe the last, opportunity to bring the hostages home, secure a ceasefire, and set everyone on a path to lasting peace and security,” Blinken stated.
He is scheduled to travel to Cairo on Tuesday, where ceasefire talks are expected to continue.
The US Secretary of State emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “We’re working to ensure there is no escalation, no provocations, and no actions that could move us away from finalizing this deal, or escalate the conflict to other areas and greater intensity.”
Blinken’s visit comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts involving US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators.
These efforts are yet to produce a final agreement, and both sides have blamed each other for delays.
Recent tensions include Hamas’s demands for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has accused Hamas of obstructing the negotiations.
The conflict, which began with Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
The attack has led to the deaths of 1,198 people in Israel, while Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in at least 40,139 deaths.
Hezbollah reported the deaths of two of its fighters and claimed responsibility for attacks on Israeli military positions, while the Israeli military conducted air strikes in Gaza and southern Lebanon.
Additionally, a bomb in Tel Aviv on Sunday night, claimed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, killed the bomber and wounded one person.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has reported over 100 Palestinian media workers killed by Israeli forces during the conflict.
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