Blinken sees Israel’s actions against Hamas as an opportunity for hostage release

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Wednesday, October 23, that the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by Israeli forces presents a “real opportunity” to reach an agreement for the release of hostages still held by the militant group in the Gaza Strip. Blinken’s comments came during a press conference in Tel Aviv before his departure for Saudi Arabia.

Progress in Israel’s Campaign Against Hamas

Blinken highlighted that Israel has made significant gains in its ongoing war against Hamas, including weakening the group’s military capabilities. He emphasized that the remaining goals are to ensure the safe return of the hostages and to bring the conflict to an end. Israel’s counteroffensive began after Hamas’s deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the capture of 250 hostages.

Diplomatic Efforts to End the Conflict

Following his meeting with Israeli officials, Blinken traveled to Riyadh for discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The hour-long meeting focused on the need to bring the Gaza conflict to a halt and secure the release of hostages. The State Department noted that Blinken and bin Salman discussed strategies for establishing security, governance, and reconstruction in Gaza once the conflict ends.

Blinken’s diplomatic tour will continue with stops in Qatar and the United Kingdom, where he will engage in talks aimed at brokering a cessation of hostilities in both Gaza and Lebanon. The U.S. is particularly concerned about the involvement of Iran-backed groups such as Hezbollah, which have been active in southern Lebanon and are financially supported by Tehran.

Post-Conflict Planning for Gaza

Blinken underscored the importance of ending the war in a manner that prevents Iran-backed militants from regaining a foothold in Gaza. He also stressed that Israeli forces should not maintain a prolonged presence in the territory. Plans for post-war Gaza will include discussions on governance, security, reconstruction, and international aid for Palestinians. Blinken is set to meet with Arab counterparts in London on Friday after his visit to Qatar on Thursday.

U.S. Push for Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

A week ago, Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned Israel that failure to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza could jeopardize access to U.S. military assistance. On Wednesday, Blinken acknowledged some progress but stressed that more efforts are needed to ensure consistent aid delivery. He noted that similar warnings earlier this year led to temporary increases in humanitarian aid, though they were not sustained.

Rising Tensions in Lebanon and the Death of Hezbollah Leaders

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have escalated airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah-linked sites in Tyre and Beirut. The strikes followed new evacuation orders issued by Israel. Hezbollah recently confirmed that an Israeli airstrike in early October killed senior leader Hashem Safieddine, who was second in command after Hassan Nasrallah. Nasrallah himself was killed in late September during an Israeli attack. The deaths of these leaders have left Hezbollah in disarray.

International Efforts to Stabilize Lebanon

During a visit to Beirut, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for diplomatic solutions to prevent the complete destabilization of Lebanon. She highlighted the risks to Lebanon’s diverse society and the broader Middle East if the conflict continues unchecked.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in discussions with Blinken, reiterated the need for security and political changes in Lebanon to allow displaced Israelis to return safely to northern Israel. Blinken echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of allowing civilians on both sides of the border to “return to their homes in peace and security.” He also called for the implementation of a 2006 U.N. Security Council resolution that aims for the disarmament of Hezbollah and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon.

The Ongoing Gaza Conflict

The war in Gaza has resulted in over 42,700 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, with Israel asserting that many of the casualties were Hamas fighters. Blinken’s diplomatic mission seeks not only to resolve the Gaza conflict but also to address broader regional stability, including the role of militant groups backed by Iran.

The United States, United Kingdom, and European Union classify both Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations, a designation that continues to shape international policy and response.

Sources:

Some information for this article was sourced from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and Reuters.