TEL AVIV, Israel — Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized on Wednesday that Israel must work towards an “enduring strategic success” following its tactical accomplishments against Hamas. He advocated for a resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, which would not only end the fighting but also facilitate the return of numerous hostages.
Before departing Israel for Saudi Arabia, Blinken remarked on his 11th visit to the region since hostilities erupted. As he prepared to leave, air raid sirens were heard in Tel Aviv, indicating that Israel had intercepted two missiles launched from Lebanon, evidence of the ongoing tensions in the area.
“Israel has accomplished significant strategic objectives concerning Gaza,” Blinken noted while speaking to reporters just prior to boarding his flight. “Now, it’s important to transform those victories into a strategic success that lasts.”
He highlighted that two major tasks remain: securing the release of hostages and bringing the conflict to a close while considering what the aftermath would entail.
After the recent killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by Israeli forces, the U.S. views this as a potential turning point to renew cease-fire negotiations. However, there are currently no signs indicating that either side has altered their positions since discussions broke down last summer.
Israel attributed the failure of recent talks to Sinwar’s hard-line stance, while Hamas claimed its demands for a cease-fire, complete withdrawal, and the release of a significant number of Palestinian prisoners remained unchanged after Sinwar’s death. Hamas has pointed to Israel’s requirement for a lasting military presence in parts of Gaza as another barrier to progress in negotiations.
Egyptian officials have floated the idea of a temporary truce, during which Hamas could release a small number of hostages while humanitarian aid could be increased, particularly in northern Gaza. These discussions, involving Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S., are still in the deliberation phase and have not yet turned into a formal proposal, according to a source who spoke off the record.
A senior official from the State Department confirmed that conversations about a limited hostage release have taken place recently, but a decision has yet to be reached, even after Blinken’s meetings with Israeli leaders and families of the hostages.
No immediate response has come from either Israel or Hamas regarding these discussions. In the past, Hamas dismissed such offers, emphasizing its focus on securing a complete end to hostilities. The group is still holding approximately 100 hostages captured during its attacks on October 7, with reports suggesting that a third of these individuals may already be deceased.
Currently, Israel has notably decreased the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza while continuing its offensive in the heavily impacted northern region. Blinken reiterated that obstructing humanitarian assistance could lead the U.S. to reconsider its military support for Israel. “Progress has been made, which is positive, yet further action is necessary,” he stated to reporters, although he did not provide further details.
According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Israel has significantly limited aid operations following its recent military campaign in Jabaliya, a densely populated refugee camp in northern Gaza, which has roots dating back to the 1948 conflict surrounding the establishment of Israel.
The U.N. reported that a critical mission, aimed at rescuing around 40 individuals trapped under collapsed buildings in Jabaliya, had been continually obstructed since last Friday. The northern regions, including Gaza City, have been the primary targets of Israel’s ground operations and remain fully surrounded by Israeli troops since late last year, leaving around 400,000 residents who did not evacuate in precarious situations.
The U.N. estimates that roughly 60,000 people have been displaced within northern Gaza since the onset of the Jabaliya operation, which is part of an ongoing series of mass displacements during the conflict. The level of destruction in the north is notably more severe than in other zones of Gaza, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. Israel has denied residents who fled the north the opportunity to return home, which is a critical demand from Hamas during cease-fire talks.
In light of the renewed military focus in the north, concerns are rising about Israel’s intentions. There are fears that Israel may enact a controversial plan, previously suggested by certain former military leaders, to force civilians out of the northern areas while leaving those who remain to face dire consequences. Some members of Netanyahu’s far-right cabinet have even called for a prolonged military presence in Gaza and the reestablishment of settlements.
Blinken asserted that U.S. officials “completely reject” any notion of Israeli reoccupation of Gaza, clarifying that this stance is not aligned with Israeli government policy.
Following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, which resulted in around 1,200 fatalities, mostly among Israeli civilians, there are roughly 100 hostages still being held in Gaza, with a significant portion presumed dead. In response, Israel’s military actions have reportedly claimed over 42,000 Palestinian lives, as per local health reports that do not differentiate between combatants and civilians, noting that over half of those killed are women and children. The conflict has caused utter displacement for about 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million individuals, leading to a mass exodus into crowded tent camps.