U.S. cease-fire talks/ Israel-Hamas negotiations/ Lebanon explosions/ Hezbollah conflict/ Middle East peace process/ Newslooks/ CAIRO/ EGYPT/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed frustration over recent escalations, including deadly explosions in Lebanon, which he said could derail cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas. Speaking from Egypt, Blinken emphasized the need for both sides to show political will for a cease-fire, while the U.S. assesses responsibility for the recent attacks.
Blinken’s Frustration Over Escalations Threatening Cease-Fire: Quick Looks
- Escalations: Blinken expressed concern over recent explosions in Lebanon linked to Hezbollah members, which could disrupt ongoing cease-fire negotiations.
- Cease-Fire Talks: The U.S. and Egypt are working together to broker peace between Israel and Hamas in the year-old conflict.
- Hostage Situation: Blinken referenced the recent killing of hostages by Hamas, which stalled a possible exchange deal with Palestinian prisoners.
- U.S. Involvement: Blinken highlighted that the U.S. is still gathering details about the Lebanon attacks while continuing to press for political will in the cease-fire discussions.
Blinken Warns Escalations Could Undermine Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire Talks
Deep Look:
During a visit to Cairo, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed deep frustration over escalations in the Middle East, which he warned could sabotage efforts to secure a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Blinken’s comments came as tensions spiked following deadly explosions in Lebanon on Tuesday, suspected to be linked to Israel and targeting members of Hezbollah, a group aligned with Hamas in Gaza.
Speaking to reporters after meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Blinken reiterated that the United States remains committed to brokering a cease-fire in the nearly year-long conflict between Israel and Hamas. Egypt, an important regional mediator, is also playing a crucial role in facilitating these negotiations. The escalation, including the deadly pager attacks that killed 12 people, threatens to stall talks just as progress was being made.
“Time and again, we think we’re close to progress, and then something happens that threatens to derail it,” Blinken said, reflecting on the volatile nature of the peace talks. He referenced how Hamas’ killing of six hostages earlier this month halted a potential agreement that could have freed them in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
The blasts in Lebanon, reportedly caused by explosive devices hidden in personal pagers used by Hezbollah members, have created a new source of tension. Although Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility for the attacks, they come as Israeli leaders consider expanding military action against Hezbollah, which they see as a growing threat in the region.
Blinken emphasized that while the U.S. is still investigating the exact details of the explosions, the broader need is for both sides to demonstrate political will to reach a cease-fire and stop further bloodshed. He pointed out that ongoing violence not only hinders negotiations but also worsens the humanitarian situation for civilians caught in the crossfire.
“The most important thing in this moment is to see a demonstration of political will,” Blinken said, underscoring the need for genuine commitment to peace from both Israel and Hamas.
The U.S. diplomat’s visit to Egypt marks his 10th trip to the Middle East since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted in October 2023. The focus of his discussions has been refining the terms of a cease-fire proposal, with Egypt playing a key role in these efforts.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced accusations of delaying the negotiations, partly due to pressure from his hardline coalition government. Some members of Netanyahu’s government oppose any form of negotiation with Palestinians, making it politically risky for him to pursue a cease-fire.
As the U.S. continues to push for a diplomatic resolution, Blinken stressed that recent escalations like the Lebanon blasts make the already challenging task of securing peace even harder. Nevertheless, he maintained that the U.S. would keep working with international partners, including Egypt, to bring both sides to the negotiating table.
