US Pushes for 'Last Chance' of Gaza Truce as Blinken Visits.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is making efforts to secure a truce in Gaza during his visit to the Middle East. The White House has stated that Israel has agreed to listen to their concerns and will not attack Rafah until they have had a chance to share their perspectives. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called on US President Joe Biden to intervene and prevent an Israeli invasion of Rafah. Blinken will be meeting with regional counterparts in Saudi Arabia before traveling to Israel. The US has urged Israel against a large-scale offensive in Rafah, as it could prolong the conflict and hinder post-war rebuilding efforts. Israel has been conducting a military campaign in Gaza to eliminate Hamas since October 7th. Pressure is mounting on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a truce with Hamas, and thousands of people have taken to the streets to demand the government's resignation. Negotiations with Hamas have stalled due to their demand for an Israeli commitment to withdraw all troops and end the war. Israel has also refused to allow displaced Gazans to return to their homes without restrictions. There may be progress in the negotiations, as Israel is reportedly willing to compromise on the number of hostages freed in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu's room for maneuver is limited due to his right-wing government and opposition from coalition allies. Qatar has expressed frustration with the lack of flexibility from both sides. The US State Department has emphasized the urgency of a hostage deal and blamed Hamas for the delay. Netanyahu has also resisted working with Arab [Extracted from the article]