US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to the Middle East on Saturday to continue diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire deal in Gaza. President Joe Biden has expressed optimism that a deal is close but cautioned that there are still a few issues to address before an agreement can be reached.
Biden has been in talks with key players in the region including Qatar’s Emir and Egypt’s President, who have both expressed support for US efforts. Negotiations in Doha involving US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators have been making progress towards a ceasefire agreement, with talks expected to resume next week in Cairo.
An official close to the negotiations has described the latest diplomatic efforts as the most productive in months, with a consensus forming among all participants that a breakthrough is possible. The talks have focused on issues such as the release of Hamas captives and Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails, as well as questions about border control and freedom of movement for Palestinians in Gaza.
An Israeli delegation, along with US and Qatari officials, has been engaged in talks to end the violence in Gaza, which has resulted in significant casualties. Hamas, while not directly involved in the negotiations, has been kept informed of progress.
Washington is hoping that a ceasefire agreement will prevent further escalation of the conflict and reduce the risk of a wider war in the region. The US is also monitoring threats from Iran, which has vowed retaliation against Israel following the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com