US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to Saudi Arabia in a bid to restart ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel. The move comes as a Hamas delegation in Cairo responds to an Israeli proposal for an initial hostage release, with pressure mounting on international mediators to reach a swift deal to prevent an Israeli ground invasion of Rafah.
The White House has confirmed that Israel is willing to listen to concerns about the potential invasion of Rafah, with Blinken expected to discuss ceasefire negotiations and humanitarian assistance to Gaza during his visit to Riyadh. The US has been emphasizing the importance of preventing conflict escalation and establishing a pathway to an independent Palestinian state.
Meanwhile, Egyptian officials have been stepping up efforts to mediate talks between Hamas and Israel, with Israeli officials reportedly open to discussions on the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza and the withdrawal of troops from the central corridor. This comes after Hamas previously took hostages in October, leading to attacks and thousands of deaths.
Negotiations for the release of hostages and a ceasefire have been ongoing, but Qatar has expressed frustrations with the lack of commitment from both sides. Israeli attacks on Lebanon and threats from Hezbollah have also raised fears of regional escalation, prompting the French foreign minister to visit Lebanon in an attempt to cool tensions along the southern border.
In a separate development, a meeting of regional powers including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE is scheduled to discuss a ceasefire in Gaza and the establishment of a Palestinian state. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has warned of mass displacement and catastrophe if Israeli ground troops enter Rafah, further increasing international pressure on mediators to secure a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
Israeli forces are reportedly prepared to attack Rafah, with the risk of a government collapse if the operation is not carried out according to a far-right official. The situation remains tense as efforts continue to bring an end to the conflict and prevent further violence in the region.
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