Blinken Urges 'Decisive Moment' for Gaza Ceasefire Talks

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, referred to the ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks as a "decisive moment" in international diplomacy. Blinken said from Tel Aviv that the current effort represents probably the best—and maybe the last—chance to have a ceasefire and bring the hostages home.

It is the United States, working in coordination with Qatar and Egypt, that has taken the lead in such efforts. This week's round of talks in Cairo will build on a recent two-day meeting in Doha, following months of on-and-off negotiation. Blinken has intensified U.S. diplomatic pressure for a breakthrough in the next days, despite the relentless violence.

"This is a decisive moment, probably the best, maybe the last opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a ceasefire, and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security," said Blinken following a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. He said it was crucial to move ahead with the agreement, for which all parties must pledge to stick to it.

But, so far, the road to peace has been treacherous. Hamas, rulers of Gaza, blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for frustrating the efforts of mediators and hence holding up progress that is endangering Israeli hostages. Tensions are running high, and there is fear of escalation across the region, more so after the July 31 assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran has threatened to hit back at Israel since then, raising apprehensions of a wider conflict.

The war broke out on 7 October after the horrible attack in Israel by Hamas militants and reportedly claims thousands of lives until now. The estimates of the Israeli authorities demonstrate that in the first attack, around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 hostages were captured. In return, over 40,000 Palestinians are now estimated to have been killed, mostly civilians, with the majority of Gaza lying in tatters as result of the military offense by Israel.

Speaking in the wake of Blinken's ongoing diplomacy, he warned against further escalation. "It's also time to make sure that no one takes any steps that could derail this process, and so we're working to make sure that there is no escalation, that there are no provocations," he warned.

The international community is holding its breath, no doubt wishing that the momentum of this "decisive moment" will be one that charts a clear path toward lasting peace. On the other hand, so much rides on this, and on-the-ground conditions are so uncertain, that little can be presaged about these talks' outcome.