By Deutsche Welle
05 Feb 2024, 08:31 AM EST
The head of diplomacy of the United States, Yesterday, Antony Blinken embarked on a new crisis tour of the Near East in order to promote a proposal to pause the conflict between Israel and Hamas in exchange for the release of hostages.
Blinken’s fifth trip to the region since the October 7 incursion by the Hamas terrorist group into Israel, comes days after the United States launched retaliatory strikes against Iran-linked targets in Iraq and Syria, the latest escalation. of the conflict that President Joe Biden had initially tried to avoid.
The visit also occurs at a time when the administration of Biden gradually shows greater frustration with Israelwith sanctions imposed on extremist settlers on Thursday, although it has ignored international calls for Israel to end its military campaign.
The proposal being discussed – drawn up during talks a week ago in Paris involving the head of the CIA and Israeli, Qatari and Egyptian officials – would pause the fighting for an initial six weeks while Hamas releases hostages being held. took October 7 in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, according to a Hamas source.
On his journey, Blinken will visit Israel, Egypt and Qatarthe key intermediaries with Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and maintains an office in Doha.
Blinken, speaking Monday after meeting in Washington with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, said there was “real hope” of success for the “good, strong proposal.”
Qatar has also expressed optimism, although Hamas has said there is no deal and there is also division in Israel.
Blinken is expected to begin his trip this Monday in Saudi Arabiawhich before the October 7 attack was studying establishing relations with Israel, a potentially historic step for the country that is guardian of the two most sacred sites of Islam.
Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza, which has left thousands of civilians dead, after the Hamas assault killed some 1,160 people, mostly civilians, in the deadliest attack in the country’s history.
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