By U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted a “bridging proposal” from Washington to address disagreements blocking a ceasefire deal in Gaza. Blinken urged Hamas to accept the proposal as well.
Blinken, who met with Israeli officials including Netanyahu, described the meeting as constructive. He emphasized that Hamas now needs to agree to the proposal for negotiations to proceed. Talks in Qatar had recently paused without progress, but a resumption is anticipated based on the U.S. proposal to bridge gaps between the parties.
The announcement comes as U.S. President Joe Biden faces increasing pressure from his party over his stance on the conflict. The situation remains tense, with ongoing violence and limited signs of progress. Recent attacks by Hamas and Israeli military strikes have intensified the conflict, raising concerns of a broader war.
Hamas officials have accused the U.S. of favoring Israel and criticized the proposal as a maneuver to give Israel more time. The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties and displacement. Blinken’s visit includes meetings with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and he is also expected to visit Egypt and Qatar for further discussions.
In Israel, hostage families continue to call for a deal, while many Palestinians remain skeptical of the negotiations’ potential to end the conflict. The broader Middle East region remains on high alert, with the conflict contributing to tensions with neighboring countries.
