TEL AVIV — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a sobering message in Tel Aviv on Monday, calling the current situation in Gaza a “decisive moment” and potentially “the best, maybe the last” chance for a cease-fire. His comments came during a series of high-stakes meetings with Israeli leaders, including President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
“This is probably the best, maybe the last, opportunity to secure a cease-fire, bring hostages home, and set a path toward enduring peace and security,” Blinken stated alongside Herzog. He acknowledged the tension surrounding Israel, citing concerns of potential attacks from Iran, Hezbollah, and other groups, and urged all parties to avoid actions that could jeopardize the cease-fire efforts.
Blinken’s visit underscores the urgency of the situation as he prepares to travel to Egypt on Tuesday. Egypt and Qatar have been collaborating with the U.S. on a “bridging proposal” aimed at brokering a cease-fire and addressing hostage issues. This proposal was presented to both sides on Friday with hopes of reaching an agreement by week’s end.
However, optimism over a deal has been tempered. Hamas officials have accused Israel of obstructing mediation efforts and altering terms to delay an agreement. Central to the dispute is Israel’s demand to maintain a military presence along the Philadelphi Corridor, while Hamas insists on a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
In parallel diplomatic efforts, Blinken spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud on Sunday, discussing the ongoing cease-fire negotiations, the role of Saudi Arabia in facilitating humanitarian aid, and concerns about the Iranian-backed Houthis.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties: at least 40,099 people killed and 92,609 injured in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. In Israel, about 1,200 were killed in Hamas’s October 7 attack, with 331 Israeli soldiers having died since the military operation began.