Egypt Daily News – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that the next crucial step in the ceasefire negotiations hinges on Hamas agreeing to a proposal aimed at bridging gaps between the conflicting parties.
This proposal has already received the backing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking at a press conference in Tel Aviv, Blinken stated, “The next important statement is for Hamas to say yes,” indicating that this agreement would pave the way for expert negotiators to convene and finalize the implementation details of a ceasefire.
The proposal was developed by mediators from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to address outstanding disagreements between Hamas and Israel.
Blinken characterized his discussions with Netanyahu as “very constructive” and noted Israel’s commitment to sending senior negotiators to either Qatar or Egypt to expedite the process.
Despite these efforts, Hamas has accused Netanyahu of complicating the ceasefire negotiations by introducing new conditions intended to thwart the mediation efforts and extend the conflict. A senior source within Hamas asserted that Israel is deliberately avoiding a resolution by adding additional terms.
Blinken acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating that, beyond securing Hamas’s consent to the proposal, it is essential to establish clear frameworks for how all parties will fulfill their commitments. He plans to assess Hamas’s stance further during his upcoming meetings with Qatar’s Emir and Egypt’s President.
With scheduled visits to El Alamein in Egypt and Doha, Blinken is expected to return to the U.S. after these discussions, where he will seek to gather more insights into the dynamics of the ceasefire talks and the current positions of all involved parties.
