Embarking on his fifth journey to the region since the eruption of conflict triggered by Hamas’s October 7 aggression, Antony Blinken touched down in Riyadh, with subsequent visits planned for Israel, Egypt, and Qatar.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken commenced his Middle East diplomatic efforts in Saudi Arabia on Monday, aiming to facilitate a renewed ceasefire agreement in the Israel-Hamas conflict, which shows no signs of abating in Gaza.
Amid the enduring crisis precipitated by nearly four months of warfare, humanitarian concerns in Gaza demand immediate attention, as emphasized by Blinken ahead of his journey. Various aid organizations have repeatedly underscored the catastrophic toll inflicted on the besieged enclave.
“The conditions are beyond description,” remarked Said Hamouda, a displaced Palestinian from Gaza who sought refuge in Rafah, a city situated on the border with Egypt.
Described as a “pressure cooker of despair” by the United Nations, Rafah is now home to over half of Gaza’s population, displaced by Israel’s military campaign.
Over the weekend, Israel continued its southward advance towards the densely populated border city, issuing warnings of potential incursions into Rafah as part of its efforts to dismantle Hamas.
Reports on Monday morning indicated artillery shelling in eastern Rafah and Khan Yunis, areas believed to harbor high-ranking Hamas officials, according to Israeli intelligence.
The toll of the conflict remains devastating, with at least 128 fatalities reported overnight, primarily comprising women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Israel’s bombardment persists across central and southern Gaza, including near medical facilities, as confirmed by the Hamas government media office.
Meanwhile, Israeli military operations in northern and central Gaza have purportedly neutralized numerous Hamas operatives, with ongoing engagements reported in the Khan Yunis vicinity.
Hamas militants, in turn, reportedly engaged Israeli troops southwest of Gaza City.
Blinken’s agenda includes discussions on a proposed ceasefire agreement formulated during a Paris summit in January, attended by senior US, Israeli, Egyptian, and Qatari officials.
The urgency of diplomatic initiatives has escalated following heightened regional hostilities by Iran-backed factions in solidarity with Hamas, prompting retaliatory measures by the United States.
The proposed ceasefire envisions a six-week cessation of hostilities, contingent on Hamas releasing hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, according to Hamas sources.
While Hamas has yet to confirm an agreement, some Israeli officials have expressed reservations about potential concessions.
The conflict was ignited by Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel in October, resulting in approximately 1,160 casualties, predominantly civilians, according to AFP estimates.
Despite Israel’s vow to dismantle Hamas, its military campaign has inflicted significant casualties in Gaza, with over 27,478 reported fatalities, mostly comprising women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The humanitarian situation remains dire, with limited access to essential services amidst relentless bombardment, as highlighted by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The agency faces scrutiny following allegations of staff involvement in Hamas’s October attack, prompting several countries, led by the United States, to suspend funding.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell cautioned that funding suspensions jeopardize vital aid to over 1.1 million Gaza residents grappling with hunger and disease outbreaks
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