US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while visiting Israel to advocate for a Gaza truce, remarked on Monday that current negotiations might represent the final opportunity to secure an agreement to end the ongoing conflict.
“This is a critical juncture—perhaps the best, and possibly the last, chance to bring the hostages home, secure a ceasefire, and steer everyone toward lasting peace and stability,” Blinken stated during his meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Blinken, representing President Joe Biden, emphasized that he was sent to ensure the deal is finalized. “It’s time to conclude this agreement. We also need to guarantee that no actions are taken that could jeopardize this process,” he added.
He stressed efforts to prevent any escalation or provocations that could derail the peace talks or intensify the conflict further across the region.
This marked Blinken’s ninth trip to the Middle East since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. He was also scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later that day.
As the Secretary of State described the situation as highly delicate, he cautioned against any actions that could exacerbate regional tensions, especially after Iran and Hezbollah, the Lebanese fighters, threatened retaliation for the recent deaths of two of their leaders.
President Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial, underscored that the priority for Israelis remains the swift return of hostages held in Gaza since the October 7 attack, which initiated the war.
“There is no more pressing humanitarian cause than bringing our hostages back,” Herzog told Blinken.
