The U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, arrived in Israel on Sunday as part of the United States’ efforts to secure a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since October of last year. Blinkens visit comes just days after the U.S. presented proposals that they, along with mediators from Qatar and Egypt, believe could bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas.
Negotiations are expected to resume in Cairo in the coming days following two days of discussions in Doha this week. Mediators have reported progress in the talks, although they emphasize that there is still work to be done.
In Israel, Blinken is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other high-ranking officials. According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, Israel’s negotiating team has expressed “cautious optimism” regarding the possibility of advancing a deal. However, Hamas has demanded the implementation of a ceasefire plan proposed by President Biden at the end of May, rather than a plan that includes “new conditions” from the Israeli side.
A spokesperson for Hamas, Osama Hamdan, claimed that Netanyahu remains the greatest obstacle to a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal for captives and Palestinian detainees. “From day one, we have said that we will not accept a temporary arrangement that was made in November 2023 and undermined by the Israelis,” said Hamdan. “We want a complete arrangement… including a ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from all parts of Gaza.”
Hassan Harari, a professor of international affairs at Qatar University, noted that Hamas has learned from the past that each time they were closer to an agreement, Israeli actions occurred that undermined the negotiations. Among the contentious issues are conditions such as Israel’s ongoing presence in the Philadelphi corridor (a narrow strip along the Gaza-Egypt border that has been a flashpoint for smuggling and violence) and the establishment of checkpoints to monitor the movement of people.
Analysts are skeptical about the chances of a successful deal and believe that the U.S. and Israel are fostering a “dangerous optimism” while simultaneously placing blame on Hamas for failing to reach an agreement. Netanyahu has faced criticism from Hamas, Israeli analysts, and protesters for sabotaging the possibility of a deal to protect his hardline right-wing coalition government.
Negotiations are occurring under the threat of regional escalation, as Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes continue, which have killed nearly two dozen people overnight on Sunday, including a family of eight. According to Palestinian health authorities, the death toll from Israeli bombardment in Gaza has risen to 40,000.