Secretary of State Antony Blinken announces Israel's acceptance of a cease-fire proposal, urging Hamas to do the same. The deal aims to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza and includes provisions for hostage release and security concerns.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "accepted" a US-backed cease-fire plan that could potentially put an end to the 10-month war in Gaza. However, the cessation of hostilities hinges on the agreement of Hamas, the militant group that controls the Palestinian enclave.
Speaking to reporters from Israel, Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that Netanyahu had agreed to the proposal put forward by the White House in coordination with leaders from Qatar and Egypt. "He supports it," Blinken said. "It's now incumbent on Hamas to do the same."
Israel Accepts US-Backed Cease-Fire Deal, Hamas Faces Pressure to Follow Suit
Blinken emphasized the urgent need to bring the conflict to an end, stating that "the parties – with the help of the mediators, the United States, Egypt and Qatar – have to come together and complete the process of reaching clear understandings about how they'll implement the commitments that they've made under this agreement."
The secretary did not provide specifics on the contents of the proposal, and Netanyahu has not yet formally agreed to any cease-fire. Blinken acknowledged the "complex issues" facing both Jerusalem and Hamas, which will require "hard decisions" before the war can truly be considered over.
Israel Accepts US-Backed Cease-Fire Deal, Hamas Faces Pressure to Follow Suit
"But there is, I think, a real sense of urgency here across the region on the need to get this over the finish line and to do it as soon as possible," Blinken added. "The United States is deeply committed to getting this job done – getting it done now."
The news of Netanyahu's acceptance came after a two-and-a-half-hour meeting between Blinken and the Israeli prime minister, as well as months of negotiations. The proposal is expected to include language ensuring the release of all hostages held since Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack.
Israel Accepts US-Backed Cease-Fire Deal, Hamas Faces Pressure to Follow Suit
It remains unclear whether the proposal accommodates Israel's demand for control over strategic corridors within Gaza, such as the Philadelphi Route that runs between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Hamas has previously stated that this demand is a non-starter in any peace agreement.
According to a report by the Times of Israel, however, an official familiar with the meeting between Netanyahu and Blinken indicated that "the Americans did not reject Israel’s strategic logic." The official said Israel maintains its firm stance that the route remains a security concern while Hamas continues to exist.
Israel Accepts US-Backed Cease-Fire Deal, Hamas Faces Pressure to Follow Suit
Blinken's visit to Israel concluded his ninth trip to the Middle East since the outbreak of the war. He is scheduled to visit Egypt and Qatar in the coming days. Concerns remain high in the region that a broader regional conflict could erupt, given threats from Iran and other extremist groups such as Hezbollah.
