Michelle ThompsonBlinken will make his sixth travel to the Middle East since the commencement of the Gaza conflict on October 7.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is slated to visit Israel this week as part of efforts to reach a cease-fire agreement with Hamas, according to Israeli media on Tuesday.
It will be Blinken’s sixth journey to the Middle East since Israel launched its deadly war on the Gaza Strip in response to a Hamas attack on October 7.
Blinken’s negotiations in Israel will center on a potential cease-fire and hostage swap with Hamas, according to Israeli Channel 12.
There has been no formal confirmation of Blinken’s visit by US or Israeli authorities.
The White House announced Monday that negotiators working to negotiate a deal for the release of additional Hamas hostages have devised a “framework” that could lead to a final agreement.
According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the proposal calls for the release of 35 Israeli hostages in exchange for a six-week cease-fire in Gaza and the release of thousands of Palestinian detainees.
On Tuesday, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh revealed that his organization is reviewing a proposal for a cease-fire with Israel.
Hamas is thought to be holding almost 136 Israelis after its cross-border strike on October 7.
On October 7, Israel started a deadly operation against the Gaza Strip, killing at least 26,751 Palestinians and wounding 65,636. The Hamas strike killed an estimated 1,200 Israelis.
According to the UN, the Israeli offensive has internally displaced 85% of Gaza’s population, resulting in serious shortages of food, potable water, and medication, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed.
Emily Martinez
