U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Israel has agreed to a proposal to resolve a cease-fire and hostage release impasse in Gaza and urged Hamas to do the same.
The negotiations aim to prevent Iran and Hezbollah from retaliating against two militants’ targeted killings attributed to Israel, potentially escalating regional tensions.
The big picture: After a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken confirmed Israel’s support for the bridging proposal and called on Hamas to accept it on Monday.
- Hamas responded by saying it is losing faith in the U.S. as a mediator.
- The terrorist group accused American negotiators of siding with Israel.
Go deeper: Negotiations continue between the mediators, with Blinken traveling to Egypt and Qatar for further discussions before a possible next meeting to solidify the cease-fire agreement.
The backstory: The conflict in Gaza dates back to October 7, with significant casualties and disruptions on both sides, including civilian deaths, abductions and prisoner releases.
What they’re saying: “In a very constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu today, he confirmed to me that Israel supports the bridging proposal,” Blinken told reporters. “The next important step is for Hamas to say ‘yes.’”
