The recent diplomatic efforts of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the Middle East reflect the intense and complex nature of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The purpose of Blinken’s brief visit was to mediate a ceasefire agreement in the conflict that has been ongoing for nearly ten months. However, before departing the region on August 20, 2024, Blinken was unable to reach the desired tone of an agreement.
This visit marked Blinken’s ninth trip since the conflict began. These efforts are part of renewed international initiatives following the assassination of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and Iran, as well as Hamas’s political leader, Ismail Haniyeh. Before his meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Blinken stated, “This is a decisive moment, possibly the best, maybe the last, opportunity for the hostages to return home, for a ceasefire to be achieved, and for everyone to embark on a better path towards lasting peace and security.”[i]
Blinken’s diplomatic mission includes negotiations with key mediators from Egypt and Qatar. The stalling of negotiations in the third week of August led the U.S. to push forward with a “bridging proposal” aimed at narrowing these divisions. In a press briefing held in Doha, Blinken emphasized the urgency of the agreement, stating, “An agreement needs to be made, and it needs to be made in the coming days; we will do everything possible to cross the finish line.”
Blinken’s meetings with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Qatari officials focused on addressing the core issues of the conflict. Blinken emphasized that the U.S. does not accept Israel’s long-term occupation of Gaza and stressed the need for a clear timeline for Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. However, significant challenges remain. Both Hamas and Egypt oppose Israel’s proposed military presence in the contentious Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argues that such a presence is necessary to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza; this issue has become a sticking point in the negotiations.
According to Egyptian sources, the U.S. proposed an international military force in the Philadelphi Corridor that Egypt might accept, limited to a maximum of six months. This proposal represents a potential compromise aimed at addressing regional security concerns and establishing temporary stability. After his meeting with Blinken, President Sisi stated that the ceasefire in Gaza should be the starting point for broader international recognition of the Palestinian state and the implementation of a two-state solution. Sisi’s remarks highlight the interconnected nature of the ceasefire negotiations with broader geopolitical and regional issues, signaling the need for a sustainable and comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
While Blinken described the latest effort to reach an agreement as “possibly the best, maybe the last opportunity,” he noted that his meeting with Netanyahu was constructive. He stated that the acceptance of the bridging proposal rests on Hamas. In response, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri described Blinken’s efforts as “deceptive,” claiming that this dishonesty was the cause of the failure.
The Qatari Foreign Minister emphasized his country’s commitment to its mediation role in the ceasefire talks alongside Egypt and the U.S. In a statement from Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani highlighted during a phone conversation with Blinken the importance of unifying regional and international efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and reach a hostage-prisoner exchange agreement.
The discussions have been revolving around the same issues for months: Israel maintains that the war will only end with the military and political destruction of Hamas, while Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire. U.S. officials have indicated that even if Hamas accepts the bridging proposal, additional negotiations will be needed to clarify the details of the agreement’s implementation.
Hamas has accused the U.S. of being pro-Israel and has called on mediators to adhere to the three-phase plan proposed by President Joe Biden in May. According to this plan, the second phase of the agreement would involve the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, thereby permanently ending the war. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Tuesday his goal of “total victory,” indicating his refusal to accept the permanent end of the conflict.
Blinken’s recent diplomatic efforts in the Middle East have clearly highlighted the significant challenges faced by international efforts to resolve the complex and prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas. The lack of any concrete agreement following Blinken’s visit reflects the current limitations and difficulties of diplomatic initiatives in addressing this conflict. This situation underscores the need for the international community and regional actors to develop more profound and comprehensive strategies for achieving lasting peace.
Resolving the conflict requires a deep-rooted diplomatic process that goes beyond temporary ceasefire agreements. Blinken’s efforts have revealed the complexity of the deep disagreements and trust issues between the parties, making it evident that these problems must be addressed to achieve lasting peace. Hamas’s accusations of U.S. bias towards Israel and Israel’s goal of “total victory” are among the biggest obstacles in the negotiations. These trust issues complicate progress in the negotiations and hinder the achievement of a permanent agreement.
Regional actors, particularly Egypt and Qatar, play a critical role in the conflict resolution process. However, the acceptance and viability of these actors’ proposals require greater coordination and cooperation between the international community and regional powers. In conclusion, the Israel-Hamas conflict represents a significant diplomatic challenge for the international community. Resolving this conflict will directly impact regional stability and international security. In this process, it is crucial that international diplomatic efforts are guided by a broader perspective and comprehensive strategies, considering the concerns of all parties to find a fair and lasting solution.
[i] “Blinken says Gaza ceasefire talks ‘may be last opportunity’ for hostage deal”, TheGuardian.com, https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/19/blinken-says-gaza-ceasefire-talks-maybe-last-opportunity-for-hostage-deal, (Date Accessed:: 23.08.2024).
2 “Blinken wraps up Mideast trip with Gaza deal still elusive”, Reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/blinken-egypt-seeking-progress-towards-ceasefire-gaza-deal-2024-08-20/, (Date Accessed: 23.08.2024).
3 Ibid.
