Can diplomacy defuse rising tension in the Middle East? | Inside Story

Mediators are hoping to kick-start ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas on Thursday. The two sides have been mulling a US-backed proposal for over two months. Indirect talks have not advanced substantively during that time and sticking points remain. Meanwhile, there's no let-up in Israeli attacks on Gaza and fears of an all-out regional war involving Iran and its proxies have surged. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed his trip to the Middle East but approved a $20bn arms sale to Israel. What does all this mean for finalising a ceasefire in Gaza? Guests: Akbar Shahid Ahmed -- Senior diplomatic correspondent for HuffPost Mouin Rabbani -- Non-resident fellow at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies Alon Liel -- Former Director General and Spokesman of the Israeli Foreign Ministry Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile #WarOnGaza #GazaWar #GazaCeasefire #UnitedStates #Netanyahu #Israel #USIsraelRelations #USForeignPolicy #IsraelGazaWar #GazaBombardment #USMilitarySupportToIsrael #USArmsShipmentToIsrael #AlJazeeraEnglish