Blinken warns negotiations this week may present last opportunity for Gaza cease-fire agreement

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday time is running out after 10 months of war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas for the sides to reach a cease-fire agreement. 

Blinken is on his ninth trip to the Middle East since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on  Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in Israel declaring war on the militant group that leads Palestinians in the region.

U.S. officials entered this weekend with optimism that an agreement could be reached, according to the Associated Press. However, the wire service also reports Hamas has expressed dissatisfaction with the latest proposal, while Israel said there are areas it’s unwilling to compromise.

Blinken stated in opening talks with Israeli President Issac Herzog in Tel Aviv that “This is a decisive moment, probably the best, maybe the last, opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a cease-fire and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security.” 

He also said it’s critical that no one take steps that could derail the process, in what might have been a reference to Iran, which blames Israel for the assassination of two top military commanders in Lebanon last month. The incident is fueling fears that the conflict in Israel could widen to a regional war. 

Blinken will travel to Egypt on Tuesday after his Monday meetings with Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Israel.