US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has emphasized that the current moment presents the best, and possibly last, opportunity to secure a ceasefire deal in Gaza. However, Hamas has expressed scepticism, with senior official Abu Zuhri blaming Israel for obstructing efforts to finalize a ceasefire agreement and accusing the US of adopting Israel’s position.
Despite these challenges, ceasefire negotiations are set to continue on Wednesday in Cairo, with representatives from Egypt, the US, and Israel currently discussing technical points of the armistice agreement in Qatar. The talks aim to build on a 7-day truce mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt in November, which was followed by unsuccessful mediation efforts.
The ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in significant human suffering, with over 40,000 Palestinians killed, according to Gaza’s health authorities. The resumption of ceasefire talks in Cairo offers a glimmer of hope for a resolution to the conflict, but the difficulties in reaching an agreement remain significant.