As the UN is ready to vote on a cease-fire resolution, Blinken travels to Israel for negotiations

On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken touched down in Tel Aviv, Israel, capping his sixth hurried journey to the area since the war’s commencement.

When Blinken meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his War Cabinet, he claims he will provide alternatives to Israel’s proposed ground invasion into the southern Gaza town of Rafah. Blinken and Arab officials spoke about options for Gaza’s post-conflict future and attempts to achieve a cease-fire on Thursday.

A resolution presented by the United States that affirms “the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in the Israel-Hamas conflict will be put to a vote by the UN Security Council on Friday. A “cease-fire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages” is also supported diplomatically, and “the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the entire Gaza Strip” is emphasized.

Late on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken lands in Tel Aviv, Israel’s Ben Gurion International airport.
Israeli attacks overnight killed 61 Palestinians as the nation considers its stance on cease-fire negotiations.
As a result of the food shortage that has been permitted into Gaza, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Thursday that up to 60% of children under the age of five are now malnourished, compared to less than 1% before to the start of the conflict.

The Gaza Health Ministry said on Thursday that there had been close to 32,000 Palestinian deaths in the enclave. The ministry reports that two-thirds of the deceased are women and children, but it does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its tally.

In the surprise strike that started the conflict on October 7th, out of Gaza, Palestinian terrorists murdered almost 1,200 people and kidnapped another 250. It is still estimated that around one hundred persons and the bodies of thirty more are being held captive by Hamas.

Biden: By failing to stop additional civilian fatalities in Gaza, Netanyahu is “hurting Israel.”
Late on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken lands in Tel Aviv, Israel’s Ben Gurion International airport.
Draft US resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza is unveiled by Blinken