Blinken warns surprise escalations could derail Gaza cease-fire talks

CAIRO — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern on Wednesday over recent escalations that jeopardize efforts to secure a cease-fire agreement in Gaza. He highlighted a deadly incident involving the explosion of Hezbollah pagers in Lebanon, which the U.S. is currently assessing.

During a press conference in Cairo, where he was engaged in talks regarding the cease-fire negotiations and U.S.-Egyptian relations, Blinken noted that while Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the explosion, there have been reports that Israeli officials updated the U.S. on the situation prior to his statements.

The United States, alongside Egypt and other international allies, is pushing for an agreement that would bring an end to nearly a year of conflict in Gaza and facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas. According to U.S. officials, achieving such a deal is vital in reducing overall regional tensions. Israel has warned it may intensify military operations against Hezbollah as a response to ongoing violence, and the pager explosions have raised concerns about further escalation.

“Time and again, when we believe progress is being made towards a cease-fire, unanticipated events have emerged that threaten to hinder or even completely derail those efforts,” Blinken said, reflecting on the significant developments that transpired in Lebanon.

The explosion of Hezbollah’s pagers resulted in the tragic loss of at least 12 lives, including two children. Blinken reiterated that the U.S. is still in the process of gathering facts regarding this incident but withheld detailed commentary while investigations continue.

Aside from the pager incident, Blinken pointed out another critical setback in the cease-fire negotiations: the discovery earlier this month of six hostages’ bodies, which Israel claims were recently killed by Hamas. These hostages were among those taken during Hamas’s attacks on Israel on October 7, which marked the beginning of the ongoing conflict.

The news surrounding the hostages’ deaths came at a time when negotiators were reportedly making headway on a swap deal that would facilitate the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. This unfortunate news significantly complicated the discussions.

In his meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Blinken emphasized that the most urgent requirement in the cease-fire negotiations is for both parties to demonstrate a genuine desire to reach an agreement. He stated, “The most important thing in this moment is to see a demonstration of political will.”

As Blinken embarked on his tenth visit to the Middle East since the onset of the Gaza conflict, his outlook was notably less optimistic than in past trips, marking a shift from the previous hopes expressed by the Biden administration for a breakthrough in the negotiations. The U.S. and its allies see a cease-fire deal as crucial to curbing escalating hostilities from Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria.

This week, Israeli leaders issued warnings about the possibility of a military offensive in Lebanon as exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces have intensified along the southern Lebanese border. The ongoing violence poses a serious threat to regional stability.

Abdelatty also addressed the escalating tensions, asserting that the region is on the verge of a wider conflict. He criticized the explosions in Lebanon, asserting, “Any escalation, including what happened yesterday, certainly hinders reaching a cease-fire deal and the release of hostages and detainees.” He underscored that such incidents not only complicate current negotiations but may also lead to a broader war.

In the midst of these developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces criticism for appearing to stall cease-fire negotiations. Opponents within his hardline coalition have voiced their intent to resist any agreements with the Palestinians, further complicating the delicate political landscape.

As mediators continue their efforts, the focus now lies on how to navigate these ongoing challenges and push towards a resolution that could bring peace and stability to the region.

Source: AP