Categories: World

Blinken travels to Egypt for cease-fire talks as Israel adds new war goal

close Video

Israel reportedly hit Iranian weapons facilities in Syria that support Hezbollah

Overnight Israeli airstrikes have killed 18 people and wounded 37 others in western Syria, said Syrian Health Minister Hassan al-Ghabbash on Monday, during a visit to one of the sites. (Courtesy: Reuters)

Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account – free of charge. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News’ Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. Please enter a valid email address. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News’ Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. Having trouble? Click here.

The Biden administration’s efforts to secure a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas via shuttle diplomacy continued Tuesday as Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due to fly to Egypt in another attempt to “establish broader regional security.”

The U.S., in coordination with Egypt and Qatar, has been leading indirect negotiations in the pursuit of ending the deadly war in Gaza, which has persisted for nearly a year following the horrific Oct. 7 massacre by Hamas which saw the death of 1,139 people along with the abduction of 251 people from Israel.

However, hopes of finding an end to the war remain unlikely during Blinken’s latest visit, which is the 10th trip he has taken to the Middle East since the October 2023 terrorist attacks. 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken walks after arriving at El-Alamein, Egypt, on Aug. 20, 2024. (REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt/Pool)

ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER TELLS US ONLY ‘MILITARY ACTION’ CAN RETURN PEOPLE TO HOMES AMID HEZBOLLAH THREAT

State Department spokesperson Matt Miller told reporters Monday amid U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein’s trip to Israel, where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, that there is “no timeline” for a deal.

“We are working expeditiously to try to develop that proposal, [to] try to find something that would bring both the parties to say yes,” he added.

A cease-fire deal, which the Biden administration appeared hopeful they were close to achieving last month, appears to have reached an impasse as both Hamas and Israel have made stipulations over access to the Philadelphi Corridor, a non-negotiable issue for both sides.  

Blinken’s latest trip is not expected to result in any major breakthroughs and comes just one day after Israel’s security cabinet updated its war aims against not only Hamas, but Hezbollah.

The goals, which already included the elimination of Hamas’ military and government bodies in Gaza, the return of all hostages and ensuring a safe environment for Israelis living along the southern border, now also includes the safe return of some 60,000 Israeli citizens to their homes in the north.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, right, meets Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Cairo on Aug. 20, 2024. (Photo by Egyptian Presidency/Anadolu via Getty Images)

HEZBOLLAH RELIES ON ‘SOPHISTICATED’ TUNNEL SYSTEM BACKED BY IRAN, NORTH KOREA IN FIGHT AGAINST ISRAEL

Following the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, more than 65,000 Israelis were evacuated from their homes along the northern border with Lebanon over concerns that Hezbollah could carry out a similar Hamas-style attack.

Despite the devastating effects Hamas achieved in its gruesome attack last year, security experts have long warned that Hezbollah – which is financially and militarily stronger than Hamas – poses a greater threat to Israeli security.

In a late-night statement Monday, Netanyahu’s office said, “Israel will continue to take active measures” to achieve its new “goal” in returning citizens to their northern homes. 

Israeli soldiers evacuate an injured man following a cross-border attack from Lebanon into Israel, on the Israeli side of the border, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces on Sept. 1, 2024. (REUTERS/Ayal Margolin)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The statement followed comments made by both the prime minister and the defense minister on Monday that said Israel is looking to change its force posture along its northern border.

Neither Netanyahu nor Gallant have detailed what these security changes will entail, but both have looked to make clear to the U.S. that Israel will do what it believes is best for its security. 

 Fox News’ Yonat Friling contributed to this article.

Caitlin McFall is a Reporter at Fox News Digital covering Politics, U.S. and World news.

Share

Recent Posts

Iran recruiting children to attack Israeli targets across Europe amid setbacks: report

close Video Keane: Iran knows it's very vulnerable Fox News senior strategic analyst Gen. Jack…

1 hour ago

Trump announces model and philanthropist Somers Farkas, auto giant John Arrigo for ambassadorships

President-elect Trump has nominated Somers Farkas and John Arrigo for ambassadorships. If confirmed, Arrigo, Arrigo,…

2 hours ago

Sanctuary city New York pressured to make drastic change after illegal migrant allegedly burns woman alive

close Video Critics speculate why bystanders failed to save woman burning on NYC subway: 'Daniel…

4 hours ago

Biden’s rationale behind Christmas present for death row killers foggy at best: expert

close Video Biden ripped for death row pardons: 'Morally bankrupt' Fox News contributor Karl Rove…

4 hours ago

Idaho murders: Bryan Kohberger investigated for another home invasion prior to campus slayings

close Video Bryan Kohberger can face death penalty if convicted in students' murders, judge rules…

4 hours ago

Fox News Politics Newsletter: Biden Vetoes Bill to Beef Up the Bench

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump transition,…

4 hours ago