Senior State Department official to visit ME region for talks on Gaza
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Barbara Leaf is set to embark on a trip to the Middle East from July 8 to July 14.
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Barbara Leaf, US assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs, speaks to reporters at a media roundtable in Kuwait City on October 19, 2022. (AFP)
Barbara Leaf, the US assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs, will embark on a trip from July 8 to July 14, visiting "Israel", the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, and Italy, as announced by the US State Department on Monday.
During her meetings with officials in "Israel", the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, and Italy, Leaf will reportedly focus on ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire agreement, secure the release of captives, and ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza. The discussions will also address plans for the "post-war period" aimed at "fostering lasting peace and stability," according to the US Department.
In January, Leaf traveled to "Israel" and Jordan, along with regional countries. From November 14 to November 20, she visited "Israel", the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. On October 25, she embarked on a trip to the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, and "Israel", which extended into early November.
Netanyahu's new conditions could stall ceasefire talks: WashPo
The US alleged attempts to ensure a ceasefire deal is reached continue to be met with Israeli intransigence.
The Washington Post published an op-ed on Monday suggesting that the latest conditions laid out by Netanyahu's office for a potential ceasefire in Gaza could stall negotiations and prevent any deal from occurring altogether.
According to the report, "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu injected new uncertainty into the negotiations," by insisting that "Israel" must retain the option to resume its aggression on Gaza as part of any agreement accepted by negotiators.
The report noted that his statement "appeared to raise the bar" for what "Israel" would agree to in a deal and further dampened hopes for an imminent peace.
On Sunday, Netanyahu stipulated that "any deal will allow Israel to resume fighting until all of the objectives of the war have been achieved." A statement released from his office indicated that the prime minister would not be ready to fully endorse a permanent ceasefire until the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza is "completely eliminated."
The report mentioned criticism on the part of the opposition, with the opposition leader Yair Lapid labeling Netanyahu's statement as "provocative messages", as well as from captives' families who argue that his conditions are posing a serious hurdle to peace talks.
At the time, Axios reported that CIA Director Bill Burns and President Biden's top Middle East Advisor Brett McGurk landed in Cairo for high-stakes talks with senior Israeli and Egyptian security officials.
According to Axios, McGurk arrived in Cairo alongside Burns to initiate trilateral talks with Egyptian and Israeli counterparts on the prospects of a ceasefire agreement alongside plans to "secure the volatile Egypt-Gaza border."
A senior Israeli delegation, led by the director of Shin Bet, "Israel's" internal security agency, is also partaking in the discussions.
The agenda includes the issue of reopening the Rafah crossing and fortifying security measures along the Egypt-Gaza border.
The outcomes of these diplomatic maneuvers are said to be pivotal for the region's stability. Yet, the Israeli side has been obstinate in reaching an agreement.
Read next: Day 276 of Israeli aggression on Gaza: 38,193 killed, 87,903 injured
