During a visit by the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly conveyed his refusal to accept an end to the war in Gaza as a component of a potential ceasefire and hostage agreement. Despite Blinken’s efforts to advocate for increased aid to Gaza and an immediate truce, Netanyahu remained steadfast in his position.
During his diplomatic tour of the Middle East, Mr. Blinken made a stop in Jerusalem to meet with Mr. Netanyahu. This marked his seventh visit to a region that has experienced months of devastating conflict.
In response to the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7th, which resulted in the death of approximately 1,200 people and the hostage-taking of another 250, Israel implemented a harsh blockade and conducted its most intense bombardment on Gaza.
According to Palestinian health officials, the relentless airstrikes by Israel have resulted in the tragic loss of over 34,000 lives. Shockingly, the United Nations reports that almost half of the population is now grappling with the devastating consequences of severe hunger.
During a meeting in Jerusalem that lasted for two and a half hours, Mr. Blinken emphasized the significance of expediting and maintaining the delivery of aid into Gaza. He also discussed the ongoing initiatives to achieve an immediate ceasefire and negotiate a hostage exchange agreement.
He is scheduled to visit Ashdod port in the southern region, where aid for Gaza has been arriving in response to significant international pressure.
During the meeting, Israeli officials emphasized that Prime Minister Netanyahu firmly stated his refusal to accept any hostage deal that relied on ending the ongoing war.
According to an official who spoke to The Times of Israel, Blinken was informed that there is an interest in reaching a deal and a determination to dismantle Hamas.
According to the official, Hamas is expected to provide a response to Israel’s latest offer, which was conveyed through Egyptian mediators. The response is anticipated to be received on Wednesday evening.
According to Mr. Blinken, Hamas is responsible for obstructing the agreement and he is urging them to accept a truce deal that he considers to be very generous. The proposed draft includes the release of 33 hostages in exchange for a greater number of Palestinian prisoners and a cessation of the fighting. It is anticipated that this could lead to additional progress in achieving a comprehensive deal in the future.
During a meeting in Tel Aviv, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his sense of urgency by stating, “The time is now.” He emphasized the importance of securing a ceasefire that would bring the hostages back home and emphasized that the only obstacle to achieving this goal is Hamas.
“There is a proposal currently being discussed, and as we have emphasized, there will be no delays or excuses,” he stated. He further explained that the agreement would enable the essential provisions of food, medicine, and water to reach Gaza, addressing its urgent needs.”
After meeting Mr. Herzog and the families of Americans held by Hamas at his hotel, Mr. Blinken took a moment to greet several dozen demonstrators who had gathered outside. The demonstrators were calling for an immediate release deal for the hostages.
According to a senior official from Hamas, the proposed deal is currently being studied by the group. However, they criticized Mr. Blinken for not showing respect to both sides and labeled Israel as the true obstacle.
Sami Abu Zuhri, in response to Blinken’s comments, expressed his disagreement with a statement that goes against the reality.
During his visit to Israel, Mr. Blinken highlighted the US stance on an imminent offensive in the city of Rafah. It is anticipated that Israel will launch an attack on this southern city, which is currently home to over 1.5 million displaced individuals, many of whom are residing in tents.
President Joe Biden has emphasized his stance on the matter, stating that any bombardment that causes civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and puts aid workers at risk would be considered a “red line.” In various interviews, he has made it clear that the US policy could change if Israel does not take appropriate actions to address these issues.
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