Blinken arrives in Israel to push for hostage deal as Netanyahu insists on red lines in negotiations

US State Sec Blinken lands in Tel Aviv for 9th visit since Oct 7

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Shortly before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Israel on Sunday evening to push Israel toward reaching a hostage and truce deal with Hamas, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that the talks were “a national mission of the highest order.”

In remarks recorded at the start of a government meeting, the prime minister said Israel was holding “very complex” talks with a “murderous terrorist organization that is unbridled and obstinate.”

U.S. officials have expressed strong optimism that a deal is within reach, after two days of talks in Doha, Qatar, during which the Biden administration presented a “bridging proposal” that it said closes most of the remaining gaps.

However, Hamas leadership has declined to take part in the summit and its representatives haven’t shown increased interest in an agreement in their public statements this past week.

Netanyahu reiterated that he would not agree for Israel to be the only party to show flexibility on its stance and underscored that Israel would insist on certain red lines.

“We are conducting negotiations [literally in Hebrew: give-and-take] and not a scenario in which we just give and give. There are things we can be flexible on and there are things that we cannot be flexible on, which we will insist on. We know how to distinguish between the two very well,” he said.

Netanyahu added that the principles upon which continues to insist are vital for Israel’s security and reiterated that they were in keeping with the outline that is the basis for the current negotiations.

“Once again, I would like to emphasize: Up until now, Hamas has been completely obstinate. It did not even send a representative to the talks in Doha. Therefore, the pressure needs to be directed at Hamas and Sinwar, not the government of Israel,” Netanyahu stated.

Several hours later, Blinken touched down in Tel Aviv for the ninth time since the war began with Hamas’ invasion and massacre on Oct. 7, 2023.

During his trip, Blinken is expected to continue “intensive efforts” to secure a deal, U.S. President Joe Biden said, but will also “underscore that with the comprehensive cease-fire and hostage release deal now in sight, no one in the region should take actions to undermine this process.”

After the elimination of Hezbollah’s military chief Fuad Shukr and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran almost three weeks ago, the regime and its proxy threatened revenge against Israel, but have since held off, with some reports suggesting they were waiting to see the results of the negotiations.

Blinken is set to meet Netanyahu on Monday morning. He will also visit Israeli President Isaac Herzog, as well as Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, before traveling to Egypt for additional talks, according to The New York Times.