DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken continued his diplomatic tour of the Middle East on Tuesday, meeting with Egyptian and Qatari leaders in his efforts to secure a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict in exchange for the release of hostages. Blinken’s visit also comes as Egypt expresses concerns about Israel’s plans to expand military operations to areas on the Egyptian border, where displaced Palestinians seek refuge.
U.N. humanitarian monitors reported on Tuesday that Israeli evacuation orders now apply to two-thirds of Gaza’s territory, leading to the displacement of thousands of people daily toward the border areas.
Egypt has warned that an Israeli deployment along the border could endanger the peace treaty the two countries signed over four decades ago, fearing it could push Palestinian civilians across the border.
During his trip, Blinken aims to make progress on a cease-fire deal, potential normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and preventing an escalation of regional fighting, facing major challenges including disagreements between Hamas and Israel on key elements of a potential truce. Egypt and Qatar have been mediating an agreement between Israel and Hamas that would result in the release of more hostages in exchange for a pause in Israeli military operations. The deal was presented to Hamas, which has not yet formally responded.
Blinken intends to get an update on Hamas’ response to the proposal and will then travel to Israel to brief Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his War Cabinet on Wednesday about what he heard from the Arab leaders.
Blinken’s other main objective is to prevent the conflict from spreading, which is complicated by increased attacks by Iran-backed militias in the region and intensified U.S. military responses in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and the Red Sea since last week.
The Palestinian death toll from the war has reached 27,585, with 107 bodies brought to hospitals over the past day. The war has devastated the enclave and caused severe food shortages. Israel aims to continue the war until it weakens Hamas’ military and governing abilities and secures the return of the 100-plus hostages still held by the militant group.
The Israeli military said it was engaging militants in areas across the Gaza Strip, including the city of Khan Younis, where troops said they killed dozens of militants over the past day. An Israeli airstrike in the city killed two parents and four of their five children.
U.N. humanitarian monitors reported that Israel’s evacuation orders in the Gaza Strip now cover two-thirds of the territory, affecting 1.78 million Palestinians, or 77% of Gaza’s population before the war. The displaced population has limited access to water and is facing significant health challenges.
Parents of babies are struggling due to the high cost or lack of diapers, baby formula, and milk, forcing them to feed their infants solid food, leading to health issues.
___Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. ___Follow AP’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas war at
