U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Egypt on September 20, 2024, with the primary objectives of advancing Gaza ceasefire efforts and strengthening bilateral relations. This diplomatic mission comes at a critical time, as regional tensions have escalated following a recent incident in Lebanon.
On September 17, 2024, explosions in Lebanon resulted in at least nine fatalities and nearly 3,000 injuries. Hezbollah, a powerful political and military organization, has vowed retaliation against Israel, accusing it of causing the explosions. Israel has not responded to inquiries about the incident.
The U.S. State Department, established in 1789, emphasizes diplomacy as the key to reducing tensions. Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the Lebanon incident's impact on Gaza ceasefire talks remains uncertain. The primary focus of Blinken's meetings with Egyptian officials will be to finalize a proposal acceptable to both Israel and Hamas.
"There are some issues that we need to engage with the government of Egypt on as it relates to this ceasefire proposal that we are trying to bring to fruition."
Egypt, alongside Qatar, has been a crucial intermediary in U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to end the Gaza conflict. Since the 1970s, Egypt has played a key role in mediating Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, signing a peace treaty with Israel in 1979 brokered by the United States. The country's strategic importance is underscored by the fact that the U.S. has provided Egypt with over $50 billion in military aid since 1978.
The current Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and approximately 250 hostages. Israel's retaliatory actions have led to over 41,000 Palestinian casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza, one of the world's most densely populated areas.
Blinken, who became the 71st U.S. Secretary of State in January 2021, will not visit Israel during this trip. This marks the first time he has bypassed Washington's closest regional ally since the conflict's inception. The State Department clarified that this decision is due to the ceasefire proposal not being ready for presentation to Israel.
The U.S.-Egypt alliance has faced scrutiny due to human rights concerns under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's government. Despite these issues, the Biden administration recently waived human rights conditions on foreign military financing to Egypt, allowing the full $1.3 billion annual aid for the first time since taking office in 2021.
This decision has drawn criticism from human rights advocates. Seth Binder of the Middle East Democracy Center expressed disappointment, stating that the Biden administration has "completely abandoned any pretense that human rights matter to the relationship."
As Blinken prepares for his visit, the international community, including the United Nations, continues to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The ongoing conflict has resulted in one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history, highlighting the urgent need for diplomatic solutions in the region.