A strong call for an immediate cease-fire was made by Arab leaders in response to the deaths of over 9,000 Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Their appeal on Saturday, however, was met with caution by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who believed such a move might unintentionally strengthen Hamas and lead to more violence.
A joint press conference was held after discussions with diplomats from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, along with a senior Palestinian representative. A clear difference in perspectives was observed. The actions of Israel during the conflict were criticised by Arab ministers, who advocated for a quick end to the hostilities. According to Egypt’s Sameh Shoukry, labeling the actions against Palestinians in Gaza as “self-defence” was viewed as not justified.
On the other hand, Blinken relayed the US viewpoint that a ceasefire could compromise Israel’s duty to protect its citizens. This stance was particularly in light of the attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in a tragic loss of 1,400 Israeli lives. However, Blinken did mention the possibility of “humanitarian pauses” to help with the delivery of aid.
Immediate concerns of halting the violence and restoring humanitarian aid were emphasized by Arab officials. Their sentiment was that discussions about Gaza’s postwar future were too premature given the current turmoil.
On the ground, efforts were being made by the Israeli military to surround Gaza City, a focal point in their strategy against Hamas. Despite calls for a break in hostilities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remained firm on his stance. A brief window was, however, offered on Saturday for those trapped to move to safer southern regions.
Approximately 70% of Gaza’s population, or 1.5 million people, have been displaced due to the escalating situation. Some individuals, including British surgeon Dr. Abdel Hammad, have managed to leave the area, sharing mixed feelings about their departure and concerns regarding the international response to the crisis.
The conflict continues to take a heavy toll, with thousands of Palestinian and Israeli lives lost.
