- Negotiating Possible Hostage Release in Israel: Potentially the Final Opportunity
The attempt at a truce in the Gaza conflict, as suggested by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, might just be the final opportunity to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. Blinken, who's visiting Israel for the ninth time since the conflict started over ten months ago, is pushing for a deal that would see the hostages released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. However, these negotiations have been marred by a failed Palestinian attack in Tel Aviv and threats of more suicide attacks in Israel.
Critical Moment in Peace Talks
At a meeting with Israeli President Izchak Herzog in Tel Aviv, Blinken stated, "This is a pivotal moment, potentially the best, perhaps the last chance to bring the hostages home, achieve a truce, and guide everyone towards a better path towards enduring peace and security."
Following this, Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Blinken is likely to aim to persuade Netanyahu to be more adaptable during negotiations over the truce. Critics question Netanyahu's actions, claiming he's blocking an agreement due to fear of his government coalition collapsing if he makes concessions to Hamas. Yet, Hamas also rejects the current negotiating stance.
U.S. Aims to Prevent Escalation in Middle East
In regards to international efforts to reach an agreement during the indirect talks between Israel and the Islamic terror organization Hamas, Blinken stated, "It's high time to bring this to an end." Measures should be taken to ensure that "no one takes actions that could undermine this process." Blinken emphasized, "We aim to prevent any escalation, no provocations."
Steps should be taken to prevent the conflict from spreading to other regions and intensifying, Blinken added. The U.S. is worried about potential attacks on Israel from Iran, the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, and others. Consequently, U.S. President Joe Biden is implementing decisive actions such as deploying troops to the region to prevent attacks and defend against them if necessary.
Following the killings of two high-ranking Israeli adversaries in Tehran and Beirut nearly three weeks ago, Iran and the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah threatened immense retaliation.
Herzog: Eager to Bring Hostages Home
President Herzog attributed the failure of the talks to Hamas's rigidity and main responsibility for it. "We are still fairly hopeful that we can advance in the negotiations," Herzog commented at the same time. "We want to see the hostages home as soon as possible."
Hamas is believed to be holding 115 hostages, of whom Israel has announced 41 as dead. Moreover, there might be other hostages whose fate is uncertain and may no longer be alive.
Blinken will stay in the region until Tuesday and has scheduled a trip from Israel to Egypt. In Cairo, negotiations on specific issues will take place this week, and another high-level meeting is planned for Sunday.
A particularly contentious issue in the negotiations is whether Israel will withdraw from the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, which it captured in May. Hamas demands a complete Israeli withdrawal, while Netanyahu insists that the Israeli army must continue to control the Philadelphi Corridor even after a truce, for example, to prevent weapons smuggling.
Attempted Terrorist Attack in Tel Aviv
A terror attack claimed by Palestinian terrorist organizations Hamas and Islamic Jihad took place in Tel Aviv. On Sunday evening, an explosive device in a man's backpack detonated as he was moving along a street in the southern part of the coastal city. The suspected attacker was killed, and an e-scooter rider was injured. The police believe the synagogue nearby was the target.
"It can now be confirmed that it was a terrorist attack involving a powerful explosive device," said a joint statement from the police and the Shin Bet internal security service. Security forces in the Tel Aviv area were put on high alert. "We urge citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons or objects to the police."
Threat of a New Wave of Terrorism in Israel
The military wings of Hamas and Jihad threatened in a joint statement to escalate such attacks in Israel, "as long as the killings by the occupation forces, the displacement of civilians, and the policy of assassinations continue."
The public broadcaster Kan reported that the attacker was believed to be a Palestinian from Nablus in the West Bank. According to Palestinian reports, Israeli troops entered the city.
Herzog stated at the meeting with Blinken that a major terrorist attack had apparently been thwarted in Tel Aviv. The coastal city on the eastern Mediterranean has seen deadly Palestinian attacks in the past.
An Israeli police spokesman told the army radio station that if the explosion had occurred just a few meters further, "we would have awoken to a massive disaster."
During the meeting with Israeli President Herzog, Blinken expressed his concerns about the threat of terrorism, stating, "We must ensure the safety of civilians and prevent any further terrorist attacks, such as the one in Tel Aviv."
Following the failed Palestinian attack in Tel Aviv, the police increased their vigilance, urging citizens to report any suspicious persons or objects to avoid any potential escalation.
