Blinken in Middle East as Gaza cease-fire remains elusive

TEL AVIV, Israel (NewsNation) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday will begin his seventh diplomatic mission to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war began more than six months ago.

His visit comes amid renewed concerns about the conflict spreading in the Middle East as pressure builds on Israel and Hamas to reach a deal that would free Israeli hostages and bring a cease-fire in the war.

Israel has effectively stated that this is the last chance they’re giving Hamas to make a deal before they proceed to the next phase of the war — invading Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, despite global concern for more than 1 million Palestinians sheltering there.

‘Alleviate the suffering of children, women and men’

Blinken’s visit includes more than a day in Saudi Arabia, where he’ll meet with leaders from five Arab states to discuss who will govern Gaza after the war.

Speaking to Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers in Riyadh on Monday, he said Israel must do more to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

He added that the best way to ease the humanitarian catastrophe would be to conclude an elusive cease-fire agreement that would release hostages held by Hamas. But, in the meantime, he said it was critical to improve conditions now.

“The most effective way to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, to alleviate the suffering of children, women and men, and to create space for a more just and durable solution is to get a cease-fire and the hostages out,” he said.

Blinken added: “But we’re also not waiting on a cease-fire to take the necessary steps to meet the needs of civilians in Gaza.”

IDF approves plan for Rafah invasion

As tensions rise, both parties are intensifying pressure against each other.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) approved a plan to continue the war in the south during a meeting over the weekend.

Hamas said it was reviewing a new Israeli proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza on Saturday. Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya gave no details of Israel’s offer but said it was in response to a Hamas proposal two weeks ago. Negotiations earlier this month centered on a six-week cease-fire proposal and the release of 40 civilian and sick hostages in exchange for freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

The Israelis said they’re prepared to invade if this deal falls apart.

Hamas releases another video of hostages

Conversely, Hamas released a propaganda video of three different hostages in the last week — two of whom are American-Israelis.

The videos are directly from Hamas, and it’s unclear what went on behind the scenes, but all three hostages are urging the Israeli government to negotiate a deal for their release.

“Seeing my father today only emphasizes to all of us how much we must reach a deal as soon as possible and bring everyone home,” said Ilan Siegel, the daughter of American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel. “I demand that the leaders of this country watch this video and see their father crying out for help.”

Biden, Netanyahu discuss hostage deal

President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone Sunday night about a possible deal as the White House said Biden reiterated his “clear position” on the IDF invading Rafah.

The U.S. opposes the invasion on humanitarian grounds, straining relations between the allies.

Biden also stressed that progress in the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza be “sustained and enhanced,” the White House said. The call lasted just under an hour, and they agreed the onus remains on Hamas to accept the latest offer in negotiations, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the official wasn’t authorized to comment publicly. 

Israeli officials said they believe they have to invade for their national security, but the only thing that could change that is a hostage deal.

Blinken said Monday that because Biden has insisted that Israel do more, including in his phone call with Netanyahu, there had been improvements, although not nearly enough.

Blinken’s Middle East tour

On Tuesday, Blinken will travel to Israel to meet with Netanyahu to discuss cease-fire and hostage release efforts along with humanitarian efforts for Gaza. Blinken is expected to make a stop in Jordan on Wednesday.

The Israel-Hamas war was sparked by the unprecedented Oct. 7 raid into southern Israel in which militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 hostages. Israel says the militants are still holding around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.

The war has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, around two-thirds of them children and women.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.