By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Cairo, meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to push forward talks on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release between Israel and Hamas.
Blinken’s trip, his ninth to the region since the conflict began, comes amid fears of an escalating regional war. After discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken announced that Israel has accepted a U.S. “bridging proposal” aimed at narrowing differences between the parties. He urged Hamas to consider the proposal as a basis for further negotiations, though the group has not explicitly rejected it.
Nomi Bar-Yaacov of Chatham House emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The clock is ticking with Iran and Hezbollah,” as the threat of a coordinated attack on Israel grows. Bar-Yaacov also noted that U.S. President Joe Biden faces pressure to secure a deal, with Blinken potentially exposing Netanyahu if he imposes unworkable conditions. “If leverage isn’t exercised, sufficient leverage, serious leverage and cost on Israel by the United States and on Hamas by Qatar – it takes two to tango – then we’re not going to see a deal,” she said. Blinken is expected to continue his diplomatic efforts in Qatar following his meetings in Egypt.
Source: Africanews
