After ten months of devastating conflict in the Middle East, Joe Biden considers that a ceasefire in Gaza is “always possible”The American president made this statement on Sunday evening, August 18, promising that the United States “didn’t give up” their efforts. In fact, at the same time, its head of diplomacy arrived in Israel to meet, this Monday, the main Israeli leaders in order to unblock the outcome of the negotiations, before their restart.
Antony Blinken’s ninth visit to the Middle East. Since the Hamas attack on Israeli soil on October 7, the American Secretary of State has made numerous trips. He is preparing to meet with leading Israeli political figures: the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and President Isaac Herzog. Before heading to Cairo on Tuesday, where negotiations will resume, Antony Blinken hopes to convince “all parts” to conclude an agreement “on the finish line”.
Crossed accusations of failure between Israel and Hamas. On the eve of these meetings, Benjamin Netanyahu had asked “direct pressure on Hamas” And “No to the Israeli government”before denouncing the “stubborn refusal” of the Palestinian movement to reach an agreement. “We hold Benjamin Netanyahu fully responsible for thwarting the efforts of the mediators and obstructing an agreement.”Hamas responded in a statement. The movement denounces “insistence” Israeli to impose “new conditions“, including the maintenance of troops on the border between Gaza and Egypt.
Negotiations stall as death toll rises. Israeli offensive in Gaza Strip claims 40 lives 099 dead, according to the Hamas Health Ministry, and more than two million displaced. On Sunday, the Civil Defense in Gaza reported 11 dead in strikes in Jabalia and Deir al-Balah. On the Israeli side, the death toll stands at nearly 1,200, mostly civilians.