Blinken visits Gaza mediators in pursuit of cease-fire deal as Hamas, Israel signal challenges

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Egypt and Qatar to secure a cease-fire in Gaza, despite Hamas and Israel expressing challenges. Hamas called the proposal a “reversal” and accused the U.S. of acquiescing to new conditions from Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the importance of maintaining strategic security assets despite pressures. The meeting came as Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages from Hamas’ attack.

The discussions between Blinken and Netanyahu, which took place the day after he met with the prime minister, are taking place in Egypt, which borders Gaza, and Qatar, which is the home of several Hamas officials living in exile. Blinken urged the armed group to follow suit. However, there seems to be a lot of space left between the two sides.

The recent targeted assassinations of militant leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas in Iran and Lebanon—both of which Israel is accused of carrying out—as well as the threats of revenge that have raised concerns about the possibility of a larger regional conflict have increased the pressure to reach a cease-fire agreement.

The six bodies were found during a nighttime raid in southern Gaza, according to Israel’s military, without any

saying when or how they died. Hamas says some captives have been killed and wounded in Israeli airstrikes, though returning hostages have talked about difficult conditions including lack of food or medications.

The recovery of the remains is also a blow to Hamas, which hopes to exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners, an Israeli withdrawal and a lasting cease-fire.