Blinken back in the Middle East, dials Saudi FM

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on Monday, called the latest diplomatic push by Washington to achieve a ceasefire deal in Gaza “probably the best, maybe the last opportunity” and urged all parties to get the agreement over the finish line.

The marathon talks towards a ceasefire that has been going on for months are set to continue this week in Cairo, following a two-day meeting in Doha last week.

Blinken will intensify US diplomatic pressure to ensure negotiatiors secure a breakthrough later this week after the US put forward last week bridging proposals that the mediating countries believe would close gaps between the warring parties.

“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 told reporters, ahead of his meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

“I’m here as part of an intensive diplomatic effort on President Biden’s instructions to try to get this agreement to the line and ultimately over the line…It is time for everyone to get to yes and to not look for any excuses to say no,” Blinken added.

The mediating countries – Qatar, the US, 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 Gaza on Sunday.

Hours after Blinken‘s arrival Hamas said it holds Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for “thwarting the mediators’ efforts”, delaying an agreement and exposing Israeli hostages in Gaza to the same aggression faced by Palestinians.

There has been increased urgency to reach a ceasefire deal amid fears of escalation across the wider region.

Talks with Saudi counterpart

Additionally, Blinken spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, as per a statement by the US Department of State.

A readout of the call between the two stated that Blinken discussed “the vital, ongoing work to prevent regional escalation and finalise a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Secretary Blinken thanked the Foreign Minister for Saudi Arabia’s work to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.”

The two leaders also spoke about the ongoing aggression by the Houthis in Yemen and the talks between the warring factions in Sudan.

The US and Saudi Arabia have been in constant contact through the last few months over the Gaza crisis as well as various issues impacting the peace and stability in the Middle East.

Read: Antony Blinken back in the Middle East to discuss ceasefire proposal