The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Arab leaders as part of American efforts to push Hamas to accept a proposed ceasefire and hostage release plan, aiming to prevent a potential invasion of Rafah.
Blinken’s scheduled visit to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel was held from April 29 to May 1 to meet with regional partners to discuss ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza that secures the release of hostages.
Negotiations took place as a Hamas delegation met with mediators from Egypt and Qatar to discuss a new proposal. Sources familiar with the talks were not very optimistic about a positive outcome.
The proposal suggested a 40-day ceasefire in return for freeing hostages and allowing displaced families to return to northern Gaza. Additionally, it included revised language on achieving lasting peace, addressing Hamas’s demand for a permanent ceasefire.
The Hamas delegation departed Cairo, intending to provide a written response to Egypt’s state-affiliated Al Qahera TV. U.S. and Arab leaders expressed concerns, highlighting the urgency of reaching a deal before a threatened Israeli assault on Rafah, where over a million people seek refuge.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held meetings with the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan, Qatar, and Palestine in Riyadh on Saturday, where they discussed the joint mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to halt the Israeli war in Gaza.
Blinken said in Riyadh that the ceasefire proposal mediators from Qatar and Egypt handed to Hamas was “extraordinarily generous.” He added that Hamas had to “decide quickly” about the offer and that he was “hopeful that they will make the right decision.”
There’s a notable shift in Israel’s stance, indicating willingness to consider a sustained ceasefire exceeding six weeks. The outcome largely depends on Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, currently underground, as per senior officials and diplomats.
While a Hamas political leader acknowledged the positive nature of the proposal, cautiousness prevails due to past experiences. Despite weeks of deadlock, recent actions such as the release of hostage proof-of-life videos signal potential for progress.
“If the hostages are not released soon, there is no way to hold back the Israelis on Rafah,” an Arab diplomat involved in the talks told NBC News Monday. “An attack on Rafah would give Sinwar the support he needs to hold out for the destruction of Israel.”
U.S. officials believe that securing a ceasefire and releasing hostages could diminish domestic pressure on Netanyahu to escalate military operations in Gaza, amidst widespread protests in Israel demanding action for the captives’ release.
During the visit, Blinken held separate meetings Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in Riyadh and Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Riyadh.
Blinken and Mohammed bin Salman discussed ongoing efforts to achieve lasting regional peace and security, including through greater integration among countries in the region and enhanced bilateral cooperation between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. Secretary thanked Qatari prime minister for Qatar’s central role in ceasefire negotiations as he emphasized the need for Hamas to accept the significant proposal that is on the table
Hamas to consider ceasefire-hostage release proposal
According to sources from Israel and foreign diplomacy, Hamas evaluated a fresh proposal put forward by Egypt.
The plan suggested Hamas could release up to 33 hostages abducted from Israel in exchange for a temporary cessation of hostilities in Gaza. While Israel has contributed to crafting the proposal, it has not fully endorsed it yet.
The proposal unfolded in two phases, with the first phase involving the release of 20 to 33 hostages over several weeks, coupled with the pause in hostilities and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The subsequent phase aimed for the “restoration of sustainable calm,” wherein the remaining hostages, captured Israeli soldiers, and the bodies of hostages would be exchanged for additional Palestinian prisoners. Described as a path towards a permanent ceasefire without explicitly labeling it as such, the notion of “sustainable calm” is pivotal in the diplomatic discussions.
Biden opposes Rafah operation
President Joe Biden reiterated U.S. opposition to a Rafah operation in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 28. U.S. officials believe there’s a crucial opportunity to secure a truce and hostage release before any potential Israeli incursion.
Last month, Biden warned that an invasion in Rafah would constitute a “red line” for his administration, urging Israel to refrain from military action without a credible plan to safeguard civilians. However, recent developments, including the Iranian missile attack on Israel, complicated discussions between the allies. These talks, initially scheduled in Washington, were affected by Iran’s attack.
According to White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, Israeli leaders have conveyed to U.S. officials that any potential invasion will be postponed until the U.S. has had an opportunity to provide input.