The United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday (Aug 19) that the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire deal in the Israel-Hamas war were maybe the "last chance" to reach an agreement to end the war.

The United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday (Aug 19) that the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire deal in the Israel-Hamas war were maybe the "last chance" to reach an agreement to end the war. Blinken arrived in Israel's Tel Aviv on Sunday on another West Asia tour to push for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. This was Blinken's ninth trip to the region since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023. "This is a decisive moment -- probably the best, maybe the last, opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a ceasefire and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security," Blinken said as he met Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The US secretary of state also met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 'Israel thwarting mediators' efforts' Hamas raised doubts about Blinken's latest Middle East visit as it accused Israel of undermining his efforts. Hamas said that it held Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu responsible for "thwarting the mediators' efforts", delaying an agreement and exposing Israeli hostages in Gaza to the same aggression faced by Palestinians. The mediating countries - Qatar, the United States and Egypt - have so far failed to narrow enough differences to reach an agreement in months of on-off negotiations, and violence continued unabated in the Gaza Strip on Sunday. Israeli strikes killed at least 21 people in Gaza on Sunday, Reuters reported citing Palestinian authorities. Truce talks to continue this week The talks towards the ceasefire would continue this week in Cairo, and Blinken would try to secure a breakthrough after the US put forward bridging proposals that the mediating countries believe would close gaps between the warring parties. There has been increased urgency to reach a ceasefire deal amid fears of escalation across the wider region. Iran has threatened to retaliate against Israel after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month. Hamas has pushed for a ceasefire deal to end the war, while Israel has not been willing to agree to go beyond a temporary pause in the fighting. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza war: Blinken meets Israel's Netanyahu amid ongoing truce talks

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday (June 10) urged Arab leaders to pressure Hamas into accepting a ceasefire proposal outlined 10 days ago by US President Joe Biden, aimed at ending the eight-month-long war in Gaza.

On his eighth visit to the region since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Blinken is pushing for a ceasefire deal and seeking to prevent the conflict from spreading to Lebanon.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/today-we-voted-for-peace-un-security-council-overwhelmingly-backs-bidens-gaza-ceasefire-plan-730625">UN Security Council votes 'for peace', overwhelmingly backs Biden's Gaza ceasefire plan</a>

<h2>'Say Yes'</h2>

Blinken, as per Reuters, said that Hamas remains the only outlier in not accepting the three-phase deal involving the release of hostages and cessation of hostilities, a proposal to which Israel has agreed.

"My message to governments throughout the region, to people throughout the region, is if you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say yes," Blinken told reporters in Egypt after meeting with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.&nbsp;

Talking to Reuters, a senior Hamas official called Blinken's comments "biased to Israel."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://wionews.com/world/us-secretary-blinken-returns-to-w-asia-on-peace-mission-as-benny-gantz-israels-gaza-general-resign-730413">US Secretary of State Blinken returns to W. Asia on peace mission amid Israeli resignations</a>

&nbsp;

<h2>Blinken in Israel</h2>

After Egypt, Blinken travelled to Israel, where he updated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the "ongoing diplomatic efforts to plan for the post-conflict period."

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a readout of the meeting that Blinken also "reiterated that the proposal on the table would unlock the possibility of calm along Israel's northern border and further integration with countries in the region."

Ceasefire talks have intensified following Biden's proposal, with CIA director William Burns engaging with Qatari and Egyptian officials in Doha. Despite repeated assertions from Biden about imminent ceasefires, only a single week-long truce occurred in November.&nbsp;On Monday, the United Nations Security Council also overwhelmingly backed Biden's proposal.

(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday (June 10) urged Arab leaders to pressure Hamas into accepting a ceasefire proposal outlined 10 days ago by US President Joe Biden, aimed at ending the eight-month-long war in Gaza.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday (June 10) urged Arab leaders to pressure Hamas into accepting a ceasefire proposal outlined 10 days ago by US President Joe Biden, aimed at ending the eight-month-long war in Gaza. On his eighth visit to the region since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Blinken is pushing for a ceasefire deal and seeking to prevent the conflict from spreading to Lebanon. Also read | UN Security Council votes 'for peace', overwhelmingly backs Biden's Gaza ceasefire plan 'Say Yes' Blinken, as per Reuters, said that Hamas remains the only outlier in not accepting the three-phase deal involving the release of hostages and cessation of hostilities, a proposal to which Israel has agreed. "My message to governments throughout the region, to people throughout the region, is if you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say yes," Blinken told reporters in Egypt after meeting with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Talking to Reuters, a senior Hamas official called Blinken's comments "biased to Israel." Also read | US Secretary of State Blinken returns to W. Asia on peace mission amid Israeli resignations Blinken in Israel After Egypt, Blinken travelled to Israel, where he updated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the "ongoing diplomatic efforts to plan for the post-conflict period." State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a readout of the meeting that Blinken also "reiterated that the proposal on the table would unlock the possibility of calm along Israel's northern border and further integration with countries in the region." Ceasefire talks have intensified following Biden's proposal, with CIA director William Burns engaging with Qatari and Egyptian officials in Doha. Despite repeated assertions from Biden about imminent ceasefires, only a single week-long truce occurred in November. On Monday, the United Nations Security Council also overwhelmingly backed Biden's proposal. (With inputs from agencies)

US pushes for Gaza peace: Blinken visits Israel and Egypt to secure ceasefire

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is headed back to the Middle East to push a plan for a ceasefire. This will be Blinken's eighth visit to the region since the war erupted and will include a visit to Israel.&nbsp;

It comes as Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz and the Israeli general in charge of the Gaza Strip area on Sunday (June 9) announced their resignations.

<h2>Blinken in West Asia</h2>

As per an AFP report, the US diplomat will start his West Asia visit in Egypt with talks with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. From there, he will go to Israel for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Blinken's Middle East tour will also include visits to Jordan and Qatar, after which he will join Biden at the summit with the Group of Seven in Italy on Wednesday (June 12).&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-drops-dramatic-footage-of-rescue-of-four-hamas-hostages-in-complex-daytime-operation-730368">Israel drops dramatic footage of rescue of four Hamas hostages in 'complex daytime operation'</a>

This visit follows President Joe Biden's May 31 proposal to end the conflict.

As per the report, the political dynamics in Israel and the silence from Hamas on Biden's proposal make the prospect of a ceasefire plan unlikely by the day. Hamas is yet to formally respond to the proposal.

<h2>Multiple high-level resignations in one day</h2>

Further complicating&nbsp;matters, Benny Gantz, a critical former MP stepped down from Netanyahu's war cabinet, saying that the prime minister has failed to finalise a plan for a "real victory", including coming up with post-war plans for Gaza.

The MP had asked for a post-war plan for Gaza approved by Netanyahu last month.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-war-cabinet-minister-benny-gantz-quits-government-730338">Benny Gantz quits from Israeli war cabinet, accuses PM Netanyahu of preventing 'true victory'</a>

Gantz, a key centrist, leads in polls as Netanyahu's replacement if new elections are called. His resignation complicates US peace plans&nbsp;as his departure can help further embolden Netanyahu's far-right supporters, who are hostile to compromise.

<h2>Why did the Gaza commander resign?</h2>

Brig. Gen. Avi Rosenfeld, the head of the Israel Defense Force's Gaza Division, in a letter to his superiors, cited Hamas' October 7 attack and his failure to counter it as reasons for the resignation. He&nbsp;is only the second senior IDF officer to resign over the Hamas&nbsp;attack. Previously, the chief of the Military Intelligence Directorate announced he was quitting in April.

According to the Times of Israel, Rosenfeld said in the letter, "On October 7, I failed in my life’s mission to protect the [Gaza border communities]."

"Everyone has to take responsibility for their part, and I am the one in charge of the 143rd Division (the Gaza Division)," he said.

"As I promised, I will stay until my replacement takes over the role, and I will transfer command over the division in an orderly and responsible manner."

"I intend to continue to take part in the investigations and the learning of lessons, to do everything so that what happened on October 7 does not happen in the future," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is headed back to the Middle East to push a plan for a ceasefire. This will be Blinken's eighth visit to the region since the war erupted and will include a visit to Israel.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is headed back to the Middle East to push a plan for a ceasefire. This will be Blinken's eighth visit to the region since the war erupted and will include a visit to Israel. It comes as Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz and the Israeli general in charge of the Gaza Strip area on Sunday (June 9) announced their resignations. Blinken in West Asia As per an AFP report, the US diplomat will start his West Asia visit in Egypt with talks with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. From there, he will go to Israel for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Blinken's Middle East tour will also include visits to Jordan and Qatar, after which he will join Biden at the summit with the Group of Seven in Italy on Wednesday (June 12). Also read | Israel drops dramatic footage of rescue of four Hamas hostages in 'complex daytime operation' This visit follows President Joe Biden's May 31 proposal to end the conflict. As per the report, the political dynamics in Israel and the silence from Hamas on Biden's proposal make the prospect of a ceasefire plan unlikely by the day. Hamas is yet to formally respond to the proposal. Multiple high-level resignations in one day Further complicating matters, Benny Gantz, a critical former MP stepped down from Netanyahu's war cabinet, saying that the prime minister has failed to finalise a plan for a "real victory", including coming up with post-war plans for Gaza. The MP had asked for a post-war plan for Gaza approved by Netanyahu last month. Also read | Benny Gantz quits from Israeli war cabinet, accuses PM Netanyahu of preventing 'true victory' Gantz, a key centrist, leads in polls as Netanyahu's replacement if new elections are called. His resignation complicates US peace plans as his departure can help further embolden Netanyahu's far-right supporters, who are hostile to compromise. Why did the Gaza commander resign? Brig. Gen. Avi Rosenfeld, the head of the Israel Defense Force's Gaza Division, in a letter to his superiors, cited Hamas' October 7 attack and his failure to counter it as reasons for the resignation. He is only the second senior IDF officer to resign over the Hamas attack. Previously, the chief of the Military Intelligence Directorate announced he was quitting in April. According to the Times of Israel, Rosenfeld said in the letter, "On October 7, I failed in my life’s mission to protect the [Gaza border communities]." "Everyone has to take responsibility for their part, and I am the one in charge of the 143rd Division (the Gaza Division)," he said. "As I promised, I will stay until my replacement takes over the role, and I will transfer command over the division in an orderly and responsible manner." "I intend to continue to take part in the investigations and the learning of lessons, to do everything so that what happened on October 7 does not happen in the future," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Blinken returns to W. Asia on peace mission amid Israeli resignations

The war between Israel and Hamas will enter the third month on Sunday (Jan 7). The conflict is intensifying in the Gaza Strip and the United Nations (UN) warned on Saturday that the besieged Palestinian territory has simply become "uninhabitable.

The war between Israel and Hamas will enter the third month on Sunday (Jan 7). The conflict is intensifying in the Gaza Strip and the United Nations (UN) warned on Saturday that the besieged Palestinian territory has simply become "uninhabitable." The Palestinian health ministry said that at least 22,722 people have been killed in Gaza since the war started on Oct 7 last year. A total of 58,166 people have been injured so far. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on a week-long tour to the Middle East, continuing Washington's diplomacy over the war. Blinken's visit comes amid heightened concerns that the conflict is spilling over. Blinken already visited Turkey and Greece and is left to make stops in Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Here's a look at the latest updates from the war: > US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on Saturday. In a post on X, Blinken said that he and Erdogan "discussed the conflict in Gaza, shared security priorities as NATO Allies, and desire to expand our bilateral trade and investment." > Following his meeting with Erdogan, Blinken arrived in Greece to meet Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and address Greece's concerns about the looming sale of US fighter jets to Turkey. According to Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, the talks between Blinken and Mitsotakis would focus on international developments regarding the war in Gaza and Ukraine, and bilateral relations, especially on energy and defence cooperation issues, including the supply of F-35s. > As Blinken left for the Middle East, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh called on the US Secretary of State to use his week-long tour to end Israel's "aggression" as the conflict escalated in Gaza. > Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group said on Saturday that it fired more than 60 rockets at an Israeli military base in response to the killing in Beirut of Hamas's deputy leader. "As part of the initial response to the crime of assassinating the great leader Sheikh Saleh al-Aruri... the Islamic resistance (Hezbollah) targeted the Meron air control base with 62 missiles of various types," Hezbollah said in a statement, the news agency AFP reported. Also read: Pregnant women in Gaza face medical uncertainty with dozens of hospitals closed > Josep Borrell, the European Union foreign policy chief, said on Saturday it was absolutely necessary that Lebanon was not dragged into the conflict. "It is imperative to avoid regional escalation in the Middle East. It is absolutely necessary to avoid Lebanon being dragged into a regional conflict," Josep Borrell said during a press conference in Beirut with Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib. > The US military shot down a drone early Saturday over the Red Sea in international waters near several commercial vessels. "An unmanned aerial vehicle launched from Iranian-backed Huthi-controlled areas of Yemen was shot down in self-defence" by the USS Laboon, the US Central Command said in a social media post. > This incident came days after a 12-nation group led by the US warned Houthi rebels in Yemen against continuing their attacks on Red Sea shipping. Since the conflict started, Houthi rebels launched more than 100 drone and missile strikes toward targets in the Red Sea. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas war: Blinken meets Erdogan; UN warns Gaza 'uninhabitable'