TEL AVIV, Israel. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has issued a stark warning that the opportunity to secure a Gaza ceasefire, facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas, and alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza may be slipping away. Speaking in Tel Aviv on Monday, Blinken emphasized that this could be the last chance to achieve a lasting peace after ten months of brutal conflict.
“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,” Blinken stated during a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Blinken’s visit, his ninth urgent mission to the region since the conflict began, comes as mediators, including the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, express cautious optimism that a ceasefire deal could be within reach. However, significant challenges remain. Hamas has voiced strong dissatisfaction with the latest proposal, while Israel has indicated that certain issues are non-negotiable.
Tensions are high as the conflict threatens to escalate further, with the recent killing of top militant commanders in Lebanon sparking accusations from Iran against Israel. Blinken underscored the importance of preventing any actions that could derail the peace process or provoke a wider regional war.
“It’s also time to make sure that no one takes any steps that could derail this process,” Blinken added, in a veiled reference to Iran. “We’re working to make sure that there is no escalation, that there are no provocations, that there are no actions that in any way move us away from getting this deal over the line.”
Israeli President Herzog expressed gratitude for the Biden administration’s unwavering support, while lamenting the recent surge in attacks against Israelis. “This is the way we are living these days,” Herzog said. “We are surrounded by terrorism from all four corners of the earth, and we are fighting back as a resilient and strong nation.”
The conflict, which began on October 7 when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, has resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and the abduction of around 250 individuals. Of those kidnapped, around 110 are believed to remain in Gaza, though Israeli authorities estimate that roughly a third may be dead. More than 100 hostages were released in November during a brief ceasefire.
The Israeli counteroffensive has been devastating, with local health authorities in Gaza reporting over 40,000 Palestinian casualties and extensive destruction across the territory.
Negotiations continue, with Blinken scheduled to meet with Egyptian officials in Cairo later this week in an effort to solidify a ceasefire. Meanwhile, talks between Israeli and Egyptian delegations have focused on contentious issues such as control of the Gaza-Egypt border and the proposed withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that while Israel is willing to be flexible in some areas, there are limits to what it will concede. “We are conducting negotiations and not a scenario in which we just give and give,” Netanyahu remarked during a Cabinet meeting on Sunday.
Hamas, however, accuses Israel of imposing new demands, particularly concerning military presence along key routes in Gaza, which Israel contends are necessary to prevent arms smuggling. A Hamas statement late Sunday accused Netanyahu of deliberately setting obstacles to prolong the conflict, labeling the latest ceasefire proposal as a capitulation to Israeli conditions.
As the negotiations continued, Blinken urged both sides to seize this moment for peace. “It is time for everyone to get to yes and to not look for any excuses to say no,” he said.
The outcome of these talks could be critical in determining whether the region moves toward a fragile peace or deeper conflict. Formal responses to the U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal are expected this week, potentially leading to a breakthrough—or another collapse in the ongoing peace efforts.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
