Hamas claimed theattack in Tel Aviv occurred just as the Secretary of State Antony blinken landed in Israel to meet the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Blinken was on a mission to push a proposed U.S.-backed ceasefire that he said was the “best, maybe last” chance to ensure security in the region. The talks focused on the return home of Israeli hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza's main population centers and a possible six-week truce agreement.
Despite an apparent openness in negotiationsNetanyahu has maintained a tough stance on some key issues, such as his refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphia Corridor, a strategic area along the Gaza-Egypt border. Netanyahu said the negotiations would not be a “give and take” but rather a “give and take,” underlining the complexity of the negotiations.
Meanwhile, tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to intensify, with developments on the ground that seem to push away any possibility of dialogue. Kiev's latest blow saw the destruction of the third and final bridge over the Seym River in Kursk region, an action that crippled the supplies of Russian forces. Faced with this new offensive, Moscow he clearly answered: no negotiations, at least for now.
Hamas claims responsibility for attack in Tel Aviv
Although the Biden administration hoped to reach an agreement as early as this week, the attack in Tel Aviv, which occurred about an hour after Blinken's arrival and was claimed by Hamas together with Palestinian Islamic Jihad, further complicated the peace process. The explosion, near a synagogue, caused the death of the attacker and the wounding of another person. The attack was defined by Israeli authorities as a "terrorist act".
Hamas has warned that similar operations could be repeated if the conflict in Gaza continues, recalling the tragic events of the second intifada, characterized by numerous suicide attacks. This increase in violence represents a significant obstacle to ongoing diplomatic efforts and makes the search for a solution even more urgent.
The situation on the ground: between conflict and humanitarian crisis
On the military front, Israel continues its operation in Gaza Strip, which resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people and brought half the population into extremely precarious conditions, described by some as “famine-like”. Israeli forces conducted one of the most devastating campaigns of this century in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, in which around 1.200 people were killed, mostly civilians.
The international community, including Israel's Western allies, has pressured Tel Aviv to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, but these requests have so far been met with resistance. Meanwhile, the number of victims continues to grow, worsening an already dramatic humanitarian crisis.
The role of the United States and future prospects
Despite the tensions between the Israeli government and the Biden administration, the United States they remain a key partner for Israel, providing military and financial support, and playing a crucial role in the ongoing negotiations. However, theceasefire agreement proposed, which includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees and the withdrawal of Israeli troops, appears increasingly difficult to achieve due to the conditions imposed by both sides.
With flash who is preparing to continue his journey in Egypt, the future of the negotiations remains uncertain. The international community is watching with concern, aware that the failure of these negotiations could lead to a further escalation of the conflict, with devastating consequences for the entire Middle Eastern region. So much so that the US airline American Airlines announced the suspension of its operations in Israel until April 2025. There will be no departing or arriving flights during this period, some Israeli media reported, including Haaretz.
Moscow blocks negotiations and advances in Donbass
The Ukrainian attack knocked out the last strategic supply infrastructure of the Russian forces in the area, making the situation even more complicated for Moscow's army. This episode led the Russian presidential assistant, Yuri Ushakov, to declare that, given the current situation, it would be “completely out of place” to enter into negotiations with Ukraine. Ushakov specified that, for the moment, there is no intention to sit at the negotiating table, suggesting that the situation could continue until Russia re-establishes control on the field.
Meanwhile, the Russian war machine does not stop. The troops of Moscow they conquered the strategic village of Artyomovo in the Donetsk region and are advancing towards pokrovsk. The progress is such that the Ukrainian authorities have ordered the forced evacuation of children from the city, with just a few weeks to reach safety.
Zelensky accuses Moscow over Zaporizhzhia
But it is not only on the military front that this game is being played out. The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has launched a serious accusation: Russia is using the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant like a time bomb, amassing weapons and ammunition on the site and threatening the whole of Europe. “Only by regaining control of the plant can we guarantee safety,” declared the Ukrainian leader, while the shadow of a nuclear catastrophe becomes increasingly concrete.
Modi on Ukraine: India steps in as Europe faces economic challenges
In this complex scenario, diplomacy does not stand idly by. The announcement of the visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ukraine, the first since the beginning of the conflict, could mark a new chapter in international relations. A signal that India, despite not having joined the sanctions against Moscow, is ready to play an active role in this crisis.
And while theEurope reiterates its support for Kiev, with the Germany at the forefront of guaranteeing aid until 2025, doubts emerge about the ability to maintain this commitment in the long term. Berlin has in fact expressed concerns about the availability of the funds necessary to continue to support Ukraine militarily.
