The visit to the Middle East by the US Secretary of State is part of the administration's efforts to promote a political framework for the day after the war. The administration is focused on trying to consolidate a formula that would include the return of hostages, while at the same time suspending Israeli military activity for a long period of time. If this happens, the United States hopes, there will be a possibility for a permanent ceasefire and the promotion of a two-pronged settlement: finding an agreed solution for governmental authority in the Strip as part of the promotion of a political process that also includes responsibility for a “revitalized” Palestinian Authority. The administration agrees that Hamas must not take part in the future management of the Strip. In tandem, it is eager to promote the normalization process between Israel and Saudi Arabia and establish an anti-Iranian regional axis. Blinken noted that the Saudi crown prince once again expressed his desire to achieve normalization, although in his view it would require calm in Gaza and a path toward a Palestinian state.
Even if the administration headed by President Biden is trying to turn the war into a political opportunity, one cannot suspect that they are inexperienced statesmen, and it is clear that they are aware that this is a difficult process that has already encountered many objections on both sides. Nonetheless, in the view of the US administration, the right and only way is to maximize the opportunity, and therefore it is also willing to invest time, resources, and prestige.
During Blinken’s visit to Israel, the discussion has focused on the issue of the deal for the release of the hostages, after Hamas responded to the mediators' proposal, and it seems that the negotiations on the issue are expected to continue in the near future. In Blinken’s view, there are indeed several points in Hamas's answer that are “non-starters,” but there are also elements that allow continuation of the negotiations.
It is likely that Blinken asked to hear Israel's position regarding the political outline that the administration is promoting. In this context, experience shows that the media discourse in Israel does not always indicate the nature of the discourse in the discussion rooms. But it is still not clear to what extent he has actually received answers that would give the administration the room to continue promoting its vision. Although the administration has not demanded a ceasefire, it expects the continuation of the fighting will take place in a targeted manner, including in the Rafah area, with continued efforts to ensure the ongoing transfer of humanitarian aid to the Strip.
In any case, it seems that the President and his administration will continue their efforts even after the end of the visit. However, the difficulties that are already emerging and the starting positions of the various parties may in the near future place the administration on the horns of a dilemma of how to deal with the stubbornness and unwillingness to compromise. The administration does not want to be dragged into a crisis with Israel and is currently continuing its efforts to pass the $14 billion aid proposal in Congress, which for the time being has become a prisoner of the power struggles between the Republicans and Democrats. However, the more the administration assesses that Israel is the one presenting difficulties and avoiding necessary policy decisions, the more the pressure will mount to use the levers at its disposal to clarify its position. In the wake is the ticking clock of the upcoming presidential elections and the growing opposition to Israel in the leftist circles of the Democratic Party and among the younger generation.
The visit to the Middle East by the US Secretary of State is part of the administration's efforts to promote a political framework for the day after the war. The administration is focused on trying to consolidate a formula that would include the return of hostages, while at the same time suspending Israeli military activity for a long period of time. If this happens, the United States hopes, there will be a possibility for a permanent ceasefire and the promotion of a two-pronged settlement: finding an agreed solution for governmental authority in the Strip as part of the promotion of a political process that also includes responsibility for a “revitalized” Palestinian Authority. The administration agrees that Hamas must not take part in the future management of the Strip. In tandem, it is eager to promote the normalization process between Israel and Saudi Arabia and establish an anti-Iranian regional axis. Blinken noted that the Saudi crown prince once again expressed his desire to achieve normalization, although in his view it would require calm in Gaza and a path toward a Palestinian state.
Even if the administration headed by President Biden is trying to turn the war into a political opportunity, one cannot suspect that they are inexperienced statesmen, and it is clear that they are aware that this is a difficult process that has already encountered many objections on both sides. Nonetheless, in the view of the US administration, the right and only way is to maximize the opportunity, and therefore it is also willing to invest time, resources, and prestige.
During Blinken’s visit to Israel, the discussion has focused on the issue of the deal for the release of the hostages, after Hamas responded to the mediators' proposal, and it seems that the negotiations on the issue are expected to continue in the near future. In Blinken’s view, there are indeed several points in Hamas's answer that are “non-starters,” but there are also elements that allow continuation of the negotiations.
It is likely that Blinken asked to hear Israel's position regarding the political outline that the administration is promoting. In this context, experience shows that the media discourse in Israel does not always indicate the nature of the discourse in the discussion rooms. But it is still not clear to what extent he has actually received answers that would give the administration the room to continue promoting its vision. Although the administration has not demanded a ceasefire, it expects the continuation of the fighting will take place in a targeted manner, including in the Rafah area, with continued efforts to ensure the ongoing transfer of humanitarian aid to the Strip.
In any case, it seems that the President and his administration will continue their efforts even after the end of the visit. However, the difficulties that are already emerging and the starting positions of the various parties may in the near future place the administration on the horns of a dilemma of how to deal with the stubbornness and unwillingness to compromise. The administration does not want to be dragged into a crisis with Israel and is currently continuing its efforts to pass the $14 billion aid proposal in Congress, which for the time being has become a prisoner of the power struggles between the Republicans and Democrats. However, the more the administration assesses that Israel is the one presenting difficulties and avoiding necessary policy decisions, the more the pressure will mount to use the levers at its disposal to clarify its position. In the wake is the ticking clock of the upcoming presidential elections and the growing opposition to Israel in the leftist circles of the Democratic Party and among the younger generation.