• Diplomatic efforts led by Blinken aim to broker a Gaza truce, emphasising Hamas’s need to accept Israel’s “generous” proposal.
• Simultaneously, discussions focus on normalising Israel-Arab relations are in progress.
Diplomatic efforts are intensifying to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas, with significant attention focused on securing the release of hostages and achieving a “period of sustained calm.” The US and Israel have maintained a stance on trying to achieve a period of sustained calm and a temporary pause. This also reflects the US’s previous proposal to the UN security council which was vetoed by Russia and China. A period of sustained calm is exactly that, a “period” of sustained calm which is only tied to the release of the hostages. This means that once the hostages are released, there is no need for Israel to hold back on completely wiping out Gaza given that their hostages are out and they won’t need to fear backlash. This “period of sustained calm” is only delaying Israel’s intentions for Gaza.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, urged Hamas to swiftly accept an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held by the group. Blinken emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that the only obstacle to a ceasefire is Hamas. The Israeli proposal, described as “extraordinarily generous” by Blinken, entails a phased truce, including the release of fewer than 40 of the roughly 130 hostages believed to be held in Gaza, in exchange for Palestinians jailed in Israel. This proposal aims to “address Hamas demands” for a permanent ceasefire through a period of sustained calm.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron, also present at the World Economic Forum, echoed Blinken’s sentiments, describing the Israeli proposal as “generous” and urging Hamas to accept the deal. Cameron emphasised the importance of international pressure on Hamas to seize the “opportunity for peace.”
Meanwhile, diplomatic representatives from various countries, including France, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, are gathered in Riyadh for a diplomatic push to end the Gaza war. Discussions have focused on reducing tensions in the region and finding a credible pathway to a Palestinian state.
The United States, a key diplomatic supporter and weapons supplier for Israel, has underscored the importance of ensuring civilian protection in any military actions. Blinken reiterated that the U.S. could not support an Israeli ground assault on Rafah without a plan to minimise civilian casualties.
In addition to efforts to broker a truce, diplomatic discussions have also centred on the normalisation of relations between Israel and Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia. Blinken highlighted the need for calm in Gaza and a credible pathway to Palestinian statehood as prerequisites for normalisation.
Despite the challenges posed by the Gaza conflict, there are signs of a normalisation accord between Washington and Riyadh. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, indicated that an agreement on normalisation was “very, very close,” highlighting the importance of this with regards to reducing tensions in Gaza.
