(TheLastPatriotNews.com) – In a stark warning, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has declared that the current opportunity for US ally Israel to secure a cease-fire agreement with Hamas in the Gaza Strip is “maybe the last chance” to save the lives of hostages kept by the terrorist group.
Blinken also argued that a cease-fire deal would simultaneously avoiding the escalation of the conflict into a broader regional war, National Review reports.
During his ninth diplomatic visit to Israel, amidst concerns of possible direct retaliation from Iran against Israel for the assassination of key militant leaders, Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and Fuad Shukr of Hezbollah, Blinken urged for a resolution.
Although Israel has not officially acknowledged responsibility for Haniyeh’s death, Iran has attributed both killings to Israel.
“This is a decisive moment, probably the best, maybe the last, opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a cease-fire and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security,” Blinken declared next to Israeli president Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining a steady course toward negotiation, hinting at concerns over potential actions by Iran that could jeopardize the peace process.
“It’s also time to make sure that no one takes any steps that could derail this process,” Blinken added, indicating efforts to prevent any escalation or provocations that might derail the ongoing negotiations or intensify the conflict.
According to a report by The New York Times, Iran is postponing its retaliatory measures to give cease-fire discussions a chance to succeed.
These talks, according to US, Iranian, and Israeli officials, could potentially lead to an agreement.
The urgency of Blinken’s comments came just hours after Hamas dismissed the most recent cease-fire proposal.
This proposal, mediated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar, would have seen Israel scale back most military activities in Gaza and release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release over of 100 hostages held by Hamas.
Discussions took place in Doha, Qatar, without representatives from Hamas.
Hamas criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for introducing new hurdles during the negotiations, claiming he was setting additional conditions to undermine the efforts of mediators and extend the conflict.
The group specifically objected to the proposal because it did not include a permanent cease-fire or a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Netanyahu insisted on maintaining Israeli military presence at strategic points like the Rafah Crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border.
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