US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to the Middle East next week in an effort to push through a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The trip will be Blinken’s eighth visit to the region since the conflict began on October 7th, with stops in Israel, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan scheduled for June 10th-12th.
In recent developments, Qatar has delivered a new Israeli proposal to Hamas that aligns with the principles outlined by US President Joe Biden. The Qatari Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the proposal reflects positions from both sides that are closer than ever before. Qatar is working tirelessly to facilitate an agreement between the two parties.
President Biden recently unveiled details of a new ceasefire proposal for Gaza Strip, which consists of three stages: a ceasefire, detainee release, return of Palestinians to their homes, prisoner exchange and reconstruction plan for Gaza. Biden emphasized that Hamas’ rejection would lead to continued conflict.
The proposed ceasefire would involve a six-week cessation of hostilities during the first phase, followed by further steps. Tel Aviv aims to prevent future attacks from Hamas and the proposal includes measures for regional integration. If Hamas rejects the proposal, Tel Aviv is prepared to continue its military actions in Gaza.
